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Obstructed Defecation Syndrome

  • Chapter
Pelvic Floor Disorders: Surgical Approach

Part of the book series: Updates in Surgery ((UPDATESSURG))

  • 2003 Accesses

Abstract

Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a term used to describe the whole complex of mechanical and functional disorders leading to difficult or inadequate rectal emptying. ODS or anorectal outlet obstruction is typically seen in middle-aged, multiparous women. Prevalence ranges from 3.4% in the general population up to 23% in middle-aged women [1, 2]. ODS and slow-transit constipation (STC) are two subgroups of constipation, as defined in the Rome III criteria for functional bowel disorders [3]. Strictly speaking, ODS is confined solely to the evacuation disorder and differs from STC because in patients with isolated ODS the fecal stream reaches the rectum without delay. However in around 30% of patients both conditions occur simultaneously [4] and their strong association leads to a suspicion of interaction. Differentiation between both subtypes of constipation requires a specialized pelvic floor work-up because treatment approaches are different.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK

    Kim J. Gorissen

Authors
  1. Kim J. Gorissen
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  2. Martijn P. Gosselink
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kim J. Gorissen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy

    Achille Lucio Gaspari  & Pierpaolo Sileri  & 

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Gorissen, K.J., Gosselink, M.P. (2014). Obstructed Defecation Syndrome. In: Gaspari, A.L., Sileri, P. (eds) Pelvic Floor Disorders: Surgical Approach. Updates in Surgery. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5441-7_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5441-7_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-5440-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-5441-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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