Briefly noted: A recent retrospective study (A Yokoi, N Kamata. J Pediatr Surg 2021; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.03.024 The usefulness of olive oil enema in children with severe chronic constipation) showed the potential utility of olive oil enemas for children (n=115) with constipation.

Treatment regimen: “A 1–2 ml/kg olive oil enema was given either alone or followed several hours later by a glycerin enema.”

Study population: “Forty-nine had functional constipation; 43 had anorectal malformation; 40 had Hirschsprung disease; 12 had spina bifida; and 10 had other maladies.”

• Key finding: Olive oil enema was considered effective in treating fecal impaction in 77.6% of patients

My take: I don’t have any personal experience with olive oil but expect it would work similar to mineral oil.