Immediate postpartum assessment of the anal sphincter by endovaginal ultrasound: a new technical approach.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: In this study we described a new technical approach to adapt endovaginal ultrasound scanning of the anal sphincter complex to the immediate postpartum period. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical and ultrasonographic examinations of 18 primiparous women presenting deep perineal tears with potential or clearly identified lesions of the anal sphincter. Potential anal sphincter lesion was defined as a second degree perineal tear extending close to the anal sphincter with exposition of its capsule or muscular fibers. We reported interesting ultrasonographic images explaining our technique in a video. RESULTS: We reported clinical and ultrasonographic features in nine cases of grade 2, four cases of grade 3a, four cases of grade 3b and one case of grade 3c perineal tears. The ultrasonographic examination confirmed the intact state of the anal sphincter complex in all patients with clinical grade 2 tears except one in which a grade 3b lesion was detected. We were not able to identify external anal sphincter lesions on ultrasound in any of the patients with clinical grade 3a tears. In patients with clinical grade 3b tears, the ultrasound confirmed the external anal sphincter lesion in all cases, but revealed additional involvement of the internal anal sphincter in 1 case (grade 3c). CONCLUSION: Immediate postpartum endovaginal ultrasound could be a promising technique to improve the management of perineal traumas after vaginal delivery.

A retrospective review of 1495 patients with obstetric anal sphincter injuries referred for assessment of function and endoanal ultrasonography.

AIM: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries are a significant risk factor for faecal incontinence. Correct identification and successful primary repair are important. The aim of this study was to review the outcome of all patients, with an obstetric anal sphincter injury, referred to our unit. METHOD: This is a retrospective review of 1495 patients over a 12-year period. All had a third or fourth degree tear and were referred at 4-months postpartum. RESULTS: Endoanal ultrasonography demonstrated residual sphincter defect in 792 (53%) and normal sphincters, with no evidence of repair, in 661 (44%). The majority of injuries involved both the external and internal sphincters (n = 501). Significant reductions in resting pressure and voluntary squeeze pressures were seen when those with a sphincter defect were compared to those with intact sphincters. However, there was no significant difference in the mean (SD) Cleveland Clinic faecal incontinence scores (5.8 (5.8) and 4.3 (5.5), p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Third and fourth degree tears appear to be over diagnosed. Primary repair appears to be unsuccessful in the majority of cases. There appears to be poor correlation between objective and subjective assessment of sphincter function.