The Role of Three-Dimensional Endoanal Ultrasound on Diagnosis and Classification of Sphincter Defects After Childbirth.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic tests for fecal incontinence have been improved over time. This study aims to evaluate the role of Three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EUS) and the Starck's score in the assessment and treatment of obstetric sphincter injuries. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed including primiparous women who were evaluated at 20 wk of pregnancy and 3 mo after childbirth. Sphincter defects were classified according to the Starck's and Obstetrical Anal Sphincter Injuries classifications. Patients also completed the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life and the Wexner questionnaires before and after childbirth. RESULTS: Sphincter defects were detected in 45% of the 56 women included, although 85% had an uneventful delivery. Most defects were found isolated to the external anal sphincter except for two cases, classified by a Starck's score >8. Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life and Wexner questionnaires showed a rate of symptomatic patients of around 46%. We observed that 30% of patients with sphincter injuries remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-EUS is a useful test in assessing sphincter defects after childbirth. This method makes it possible to detect small sphincter defects that otherwise would have gone unnoticed, as 30% of patients with sphincter injuries were asymptomatic. In addition, both the 3D-EUS and the Starck's score were valuable in establishing an algorithm for the treatment of obstetric sphincter injuries.

Quality of life and 3D-EUS assessment for anal incontinence after childbirth.

BACKGROUND: the incidence of obstetric sphincter tears has risen to 15-30% and the prevalence of anal incontinence (AI) symptoms after childbirth may be as high as 40%. The present study evaluates the correlation between obstetric injuries detected by endoanal ultrasound (3D-EUS) and AI symptoms, as well as their impact on the quality of life (QOL) of women after childbirth. METHODS: a prospective observational study was performed of pregnant women evaluated before (baseline) and three months after childbirth to ensure the integrity of the anal sphincters and to evaluate possible injuries. The Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) questionnaire and the Cleveland Clinic Score of Incontinence (Wexner) were completed before and after childbirth. The questionnaire results were correlated with an assessment of sphincter defects performed by 3D-EUS. RESULTS: a total of 56 females were included in the study. Overall, 48% developed symptoms of AI after childbirth, with a significant decrease in their FIQL compared to the initial evaluation, 3.9 (0.05) vs 3.4 (0.8), respectively (p = 0.000). In addition, 42% of the cohort presented with some kind of obstetric sphincter defect on the 3D-EUS. Instrumental assisted delivery and the sphincter defects were the only two significant factors identified via multivariate analysis that were associated with a decrease in QOL (0.4, 95% CI, 0.07-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: AI after childbirth was associated with a huge impact on QOL, especially in patients with sphincter injuries. A complete clinical evaluation, including 3D-EUS, is recommended to prevent, manage or treat AI in primiparous females.