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Effect of pregnancy on anal sphincter morphology and function

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Abstract

Twenty pregnant women were investigated prospectively to establish if pregnancy had any effect on the function and morphology of the anal sphincters. Anal endosonography and manometry were performed during pregnancy and 6 weeks after Caesarean section. Muscle thicknesses of the puborectalis, longitudinal muscle, internal and external anal sphincter were measured. There was no significant difference in the muscle thickness of either before and after Caesarean delivery. The maximum resting pressure and the maximum squeeze pressure were not significantly changed. No significant correlation was found between anal pressure and muscle thickness of either sphincter. Pregnancy itself does not have a significant effect on anal sphincter morphology or function. Any changes in sphincter function that occur in relation to pregnancy or delivery are likely to be due to mechanical trauma rather than hormonal changes in pregnancy.

Résumé

20 malades enceintes ont été étudiées de façon prospective pour établir si la grossesse avait un effet sur la fonction et la morphologie des sphincters anaux. Une échographie endoanale, une manométrie ont été céalisées durant la grossesse et six semaines après une césarienne. L'épaisseur du puborectal, du muscle longitudinal et des sphincters anaux interne et externe a été mesurée. Il n'y avait pas de différence significative dans l'épaisseur musculaire avant ou après césarienne. La pression de repos maximale et la pression maximale d'effort n'était pas significativement changée. Aucune correlation significative n'a été trouvée entre l'épaisseur du muscle et les pressions de l'un ou de l'autre sphincter. La grossesse par elle même n'a pas d'effet sur la morphologie et la fonction sphinctérienne anale. Les modifications des fonctions sphinctériennes qui surviennent en relation avec la grossesse ou l'accouchement sont probablement dûes à des traumatismes mécaniques plutôt qu'à des modifications hormonales durant la grossesse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St Mark's Hospital, London, UK

    A. H. Sultan, M. A. Kamm & C. I. Bartram

  2. St. Bartholomew's (Homerton) Hospital, London, UK

    C. N. Hudson

Authors
  1. A. H. Sultan
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  2. M. A. Kamm
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  3. C. N. Hudson
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  4. C. I. Bartram
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Additional information

This paper has been published as an abstract in Gastroenterology, 1993; 104 (4): A588.

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Sultan, A.H., Kamm, M.A., Hudson, C.N. et al. Effect of pregnancy on anal sphincter morphology and function. Int J Colorect Dis 8, 206–209 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290307

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