BACKGROUND:Idiopathic slow‐transit constipation may be a pangastrointestinal motility disorder. We have screened patients referred to surgery for constipation for the presence of biliary dyskinesia.METHOD:Patients had cholecystokinin‐augmented trimethyl‐3‐bromo iminodiacetic acid scans to measure gallbladder ejection fraction.RESULTS:There is a significant difference in gallbladder ejection fraction between patients with idiopathic slow‐transit constipation (median value, 28.5) compared with patients with other causes of constipation (median value, 71; Mann‐Whitney,P=0.0025).CONCLUSION:Idiopathic slow‐transit constipation may be a pangastrointestinal motility disorder.