Objectives:

Purpose of our study is to compare the effects of lactulose and magnesium hydroxide on prospectively in patients complaining of constipation in two different departments.

Method:

A questionnaire was prepared. The questions were asked to the patients and a thorough physical examination was performed in both outpatient clinics. The preferred drug was magnesium hydroxide in pediatric surgery clinic, and lactulose in gastroenterology clinic. Behavioral information was given to all patients. Patients were called for control on 2 and 10 th weeks after the initiation of the treatment.

Results:

A total of 43 patients were included in the study. Of these 27 patients referred to pediatric surgery, and 16 patients gastroenterology outpatient clinics. Ten (%39) patients who were treated by pediatric surgery outpatient clinic and 9 (%53) patients who were treated by gastroenterology outpatient clinic had responded to treatment at the second week controls. All the patients who had treatment in the both outpatient clinics had improvement in their symptoms at the tenth week controls.

Conclusions:

In our study, no significant difference was observed in the treatment of patients with both drugs. However, treatment of constipation be treated with medication alone is probably not enough, we should be in good communication with patients and their families, such as behavior and diet therapy are as important as medication for obtaining good results.

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