Table 1 Summary of published studies regarding megacolon management during pregnancy
Authors (year) | Number of patients | Gestational age at diagnosis (weeks) | Treatment and complications during pregnancy | Gestational age at delivery (weeks) | Mode of delivery | Birth weight (g) | Apgar score | Obstetric complications | Maternal and neonatal outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grasby and Higgins (1955) [1] | 3 | 16 | Laxative (senna) No complications | 36-40 | Forceps extraction | NR | NR | Dystocia caused by fecal impaction; manual removal of the fecaloma | Good |
Resta et al. (1979) [3] | 1 | Diagnosis previous pregnancy | None | 38 | Vacuum extractor | 3200 | 8/9 | None | Good |
Hjortrup et al. (1982) [4] | 1 | 33 | Temporary sigmoidostomy (because of acute bowel obstruction) | 33 | Cesarean section | 1500 | NR | None | Good |
Grossmann et al. (2000) [2] | 1 | 28 | Laxative (polyethylene glycol); several episodes of severe constipation requiring manual disimpaction | Term | Normal vaginal delivery | NR | NR | None | Proctocolectomy three months postpartum |