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Pregnancy- and Delivery-Associated Colorectal and Proctological Disorders

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Anorectal and Colonic Diseases

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Abstract

Normal colorectal physiological function changes during pregnancy. These modifications are generally minor, not serious, and well tolerated by pregnant women. Constipation is the most common problem experienced by pregnant women. Whilst constipation rarely disturbs the course of pregnancy, serious acute colorectal emergencies can sometimes be encountered and should be quickly diagnosed by the colorectal surgeon. Appendicitis is the most common “colorectal” complication seen during pregnancy: to make the diagnosis, it is important to have a high index of suspicion. Specific colorectal inflammatory diseases are generally thought to remain stable during pregnancy, but some larger studies are less optimistic. Distal venous hypertension in the anorectal venous system due to the enlarged uterus is seen frequently and may magnify local “complications.” Hemorrhoids, for example may present with acute thrombotic complications or an anal fissure.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Ensemble Hospitalier de La Côte, 1110, Morges, Switzerland

    Sylvain Meyer

  2. Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Chahin Achtari

Authors
  1. Sylvain Meyer
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  2. Chahin Achtari
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Service de Chirurgie Viscérale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Jean-Claude R. Givel

  2. Department of Colorectal Surgery, The John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU, Headington, Oxford, UK

    Neil Mortensen

  3. Responsable de l’Unité de Proctologie, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire de Genève, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, 1211, Genève 14, Switzerland

    Bruno Roche

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Meyer, S., Achtari, C. (2010). Pregnancy- and Delivery-Associated Colorectal and Proctological Disorders. In: Givel, JC., Mortensen, N., Roche, B. (eds) Anorectal and Colonic Diseases. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69419-9_44

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69419-9_44

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-69418-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-69419-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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