Eight children treated for severe constipation with sennosides unexpectedly developed contact burns with blisters secondary to the use of these laxatives. All patients wore diapers, and the injuries occurred overnight. To avoid this side effect, we recommend that patients treated with sennosides, especially those in diapers, receive the medication at a time that allows for bowel movements to occur during the day and not overnight.

Selected patients with chronic idiopathic constipation complicated by megarectosigmoid and fecal incontinence can obtain great benefit from primary sigmoidectomy and appendicostomy.