scholarly journals Anal endosonographic assessment of the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of obstetric anal sphincter injury

Author(s):  
Angharad Jones ◽  
Linda Ferrari ◽  
Paula Igualada Martinez ◽  
Eugene Oteng-Ntim ◽  
Alison Hainsworth ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are a common cause of maternal morbidity with an overall incidence in the UK of 2.9% (range 0–8%). They can cause a range of physical symptoms and psychological distress. This study aims to assess the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of OASIS using endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) and the correlation between confirmed injury and change to anorectal physiology squeeze pressure and the incidence of bowel symptoms. Methods and materials Retrospective study of prospectively collected data from 1135 women who attended the Third- and Fourth-Degree Tears Clinic at our institution, 12 weeks post-delivery, between June 2008 and October 2019. Results OASIS was confirmed in 876 (78.8%) women and 236 (21.3%) had no injury. Of the women who underwent anorectal physiology, 45.6% had a mean maximal resting pressure below the normal range and 68.8% had a mean incremental squeeze pressure below normal. Women with confirmed OASIS had significantly lower pressures (p < 0.001) than those without a confirmed sphincter injury. Three hundred ninety-three (34.8%) women reported bowel symptoms, with those with endosonographic evidence of injury more likely to develop flatus incontinence. Conclusion Of the women in this study with a suspected OASIS, 21.2% could be reassured that they did not have an injury. This information is useful for women considering future mode of delivery. Those with confirmed injury are more likely to complain of flatus incontinence and have reduced anal sphincter pressures.

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivka Djaković ◽  
Emina Ejubović ◽  
Ivan Bolanča ◽  
Marina Markuš Sandrić ◽  
Dino Bečić ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) includes the third and fourth degree of perineal injury. The risk for OASIS is about 1% of all vaginal deliveries. If not recognised and treated properly, obstetric anal sphincter injury can have serious consequences for reproductive age woman.MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have retrospectively gathered and analysed data on obstetric anal sphincter injury in a four-year period at our department. The control group in this study included vaginal deliveries in 2012.RESULTS: We recorded 0.34% third and fourth degree of perineal injury in all vaginal deliveries, and 87.9% of those patients were primiparae. Episiotomy was performed in 57.6% of all women with obstetric anal sphincter injury. In 30.3% of cases, newborns were large for gestational age. Gestational diabetes was found in 9.1% of OASIS cases, occipitoposterior position was found in 9.1% of cases. Induced labour took place in 39.4%, and oxytocin infusion was applied in 60.6% of OASIS cases. Vacuum extraction was performed in 12.1% of deliveries with OASIS. The average BMI in 3a and 3b injuries was 29.9. In 3c degree it was 28.0, and in the fourth degree, it was 32.1. In 27.0% of OASIS cases due to the extent of the injury surgeon engagement was necessary. When compared with vaginal deliveries in 2012 we found a significant increase in OASIS in primiparas, large for gestational age, occipitoposterior position, induced labour, vacuum extraction and hypertension (P < 0.01). There is also increased incidence of OASIS in episiotomy and oxytocin use group (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Low incidence of OASIS in our department is a result of active management of delivery, manual perineal protection and timely episiotomy.


Author(s):  
Nicola Adanna Okeahialam ◽  
Ranee Thakar ◽  
Abdul H. Sultan

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis Endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) and anal manometry are used in the assessment women with a history of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI), both postpartum and in a subsequent pregnancy, to aid counselling regarding mode of delivery (MOD). Methods A prospective observational study between 2012 to 2020 was completed. Women were reviewed 3 months postpartum following OASI and in the second half of a subsequent pregnancy. Anorectal symptoms were measured using the validated St Mark’s Incontinence Score (SMIS: asymptomatic to mild symptoms = ≤ 4). Anal manometry (incremental maximum squeeze pressure [iMSP: normal = > 20 mmHg]) and EAUS (abnormal = sphincter defect > 1 h in size) were performed. Results One hundred forty-six women were identified and 67.8% had an anal sphincter defect ≤ 1 h in size postnatally. In those with a defect ≤ 1 h, postpartum mean iMSP and SMIS significantly improved in a subsequent pregnancy (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively). In women with a defect > 1 h, there was no significant difference between the mean iMSP or SMIS score postnatally compared to a subsequent pregnancy. At both time points, significantly more women had an anal sphincter defect ≤ 1 h and SMIS of ≤ 4 (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively) compared to those with a defect < 1 h. In addition, significantly more women had an anal sphincter defect ≤ 1 h and iMSP ≥ 20 mmHg (p < 0.001). Overall, out of the 146 women included in this study, 76 (52.1%) with a defect ≤ 1 h also had an iMSP ≥ 20 mmHg and SMIS ≤ 4 at 3 months postpartum. Conclusions Women who remain asymptomatic with normal anal manometry and no abnormal sphincter defects on EAUS postnatally do not need to have these investigations repeated in a subsequent pregnancy and can be recommended to have a vaginal delivery. If our protocol was modified, over half of the women in this study could have had their MOD recommendation made in the postnatal period alone.


2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (2) ◽  
pp. G256-G262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adil E. Bharucha ◽  
Jasper Daube ◽  
William Litchy ◽  
Julia Traue ◽  
Jessica Edge ◽  
...  

While anal sphincter neurogenic injury documented by needle electromyography (EMG) has been implicated to cause fecal incontinence (FI), most studies have been uncontrolled. Normal values and the effects of age on anal sphincter motor unit potentials (MUP) are ill defined. The functional significance of anal sphincter neurogenic injury in FI is unclear. Anal pressures and EMG were assessed in 20 asymptomatic nulliparous women (age, 38 ± 5 yr; mean ± SE) and 20 women with FI (54 ± 3 yr). A computerized program quantified MUP duration and phases. These parameters and MUP recruitment were also semiquantitatively assessed by experienced electromyographers in real time. Increasing age was associated with longer and more polyphasic MUP in nulliparous women by quantitative analysis. A higher proportion of FI patients had prolonged (1 control, 7 patients, P = 0.04) and polyphasic MUP (2 controls, 9 patients, P = 0.03) at rest but not during squeeze. Semiquantitative analyses identified neurogenic or muscle injury in the anal sphincter (11 patients) and other lumbosacral muscles (4 patients). There was substantial agreement between quantitative and semiquantitative analyses (κ statistic 0.63 ± 95% CI: 0.32–0.96). Anal resting and squeeze pressures were lower ( P ≤ 0.01) in FI than controls. Anal sphincter neurogenic or muscle injury assessed by needle EMG was associated ( P = 0.01) with weaker squeeze pressures (83 ± 10 mmHg vs. 154 ± 30 mmHg) and explained 19% ( P = 0.01) of the variation in squeeze pressure. Anal sphincter MUP are longer and more polyphasic in older than younger nulliparous women. Women with FI have more severe neurogenic or muscle anal sphincter injury, which is associated with lower squeeze pressures.


Author(s):  
Ikobho Ebenezer Howells ◽  
Isaac Joel Abasi

Background:Perineal tear is a very common complication of vaginal delivery, and it is often mild. However, when severe, it could result in torrential life threatening hemorrhage and anal sphincter injury, with fecal incontinence. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the predictors of severe perineal tear (3rd and 4th degree tear), using mild perineal tear (1st and 2nd degree) as control. It would also determine the rate of perineal tear, and the maternal and fetal demographic risk factor associated with it. Materials and Methods: This was an analytic observational study of 186 women who had perineal tear during vaginal delivery. Out of these, 19 women had severe (3rd and 4th degree) perineal tear, also known as obstetrics anal sphincter injury (OASI). This was compared to 167 women who had mild perineal tear (1st and 2nd degree) during the study period. Maternal demographic information retrieved was maternal age, parity, educational level, and occupation. Obstetrics factors were booking status, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, rank of the accoucheur (nurse or doctor), and degree of perineal tear. Fetal demographic data was birth weight and fetal sex. Categorical variables were compared with odds ratio, difference in mean was compared with student’s t-test, and the degree of association for quantitative variables was determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Predictor variables were determined using simple logistic regression, and multivariate analysis. Confidence interval was set at 95%, and statistical significance was set at p value of < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of OASI (3rd and 4th degree perineal tear) in Yenagoa was 1.1%. The significant risk factors were women of younger age, odds ratio = 1.04(0.37, 2.87) with p = 0.04, low parity, odds ratio = 0.20(0.07, 0.55) with p = 0.008, low educational background, odd ratio = 18.9(5.92, 60.81), and birth weight ≥ 4kg, odds ratio = 0.30[0.09, 1.06] with p = 0.04. Using simple liner regression, the most significant predictors for severe perineal tear were mode delivery (r2 = 65.5%), and educational level (r2 = 30.0%). However, on stepwise multivariate analysis, these two factors accounted for 68.5%. Conclusion: The rate of severe perineal tear is relatively low in Yenagoa, Nigeria, and comparable to what obtains in many countries. The most significant predictors were mode of delivery and educational level. Careful selection of the mode of delivery, especially instrumental vaginal deliveries, and women empowerment could minimize the rate in our environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1134-1139
Author(s):  
Bobby D. O'Leary ◽  
Tariq Bholah ◽  
Tamara Kalisse ◽  
Mark P. Hehir ◽  
Michael P. Geary

Abstract Objective Obstetric anal sphincter injury remains the most common cause of fecal incontinence in women, and research in twin pregnancies is sparse. This study aimed to examine risk factors for sphincter injury in twin deliveries over a 10-year period. Study Design This was a retrospective study of twin vaginal deliveries in a tertiary-level hospital over 10 years. We examined the demographics of women who had a vaginal delivery of at least one twin. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine risk factors. Results There were 1,783 (2.1%) twin pregnancies, of which 556 (31%) had a vaginal delivery of at least one twin. Sphincter injury occurred in 1.1% (6/556) women with twins compared with 2.9% (1720/59,944) singleton vaginal deliveries. Women with sphincter injury had more instrumental deliveries (83.3 vs. 27.6%; p = 0.008). On univariate analysis, only instrumental delivery was a significant risk factor (odds ratio: 2.93; p = 0.019). Conclusion Sphincter injury occurs at a lower rate in vaginal twin pregnancies than in singletons. No twin-specific risk factors were identified. Discussion of the risk of sphincter injury should form part of patient counseling with regard to the mode of delivery.


Author(s):  
Mariam Naqvi ◽  
Elana F. Jaffe ◽  
Ilona T. Goldfarb ◽  
Allison S. Bryant ◽  
Blair J. Wylie ◽  
...  

Objective This study aimed to assess whether a prolonged second stage of labor is an independent predictor of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) in a contemporary cohort of nulliparous and term parturients, and to evaluate whether predelivery factors can accurately predict OASI. Study Design This was a nested case-control study within a cohort of consecutive nulliparous term parturients with a singleton gestation who underwent a vaginal delivery at a single institution between January 2014 and January 2015. Cases were defined as women with a third- or fourth-degree laceration at the time of delivery, and controls were women without a third- or fourth-degree laceration. A prolonged second stage was defined as a second stage of ≥3 hours. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between prolonged second stage of labor and third- or fourth-degree lacerations. Receiver operator curves were developed to assess the predictive capacity of predelivery information for third- and fourth-degree lacerations. Results Of 1,197 births, 63 women had third- or fourth-degree lacerations (5.3%). With each additional hour of the second stage, the rate of OASI increased, with 2.9% of women with a second stage of <1 hour with OASI, 3.5% between 1 and 2 hours, 5.7% between 2 and 3 hours, 7.8% between 3 and 4 hours, 16.1% between 4 and 5 hours, and 28.6% among women with a second stage length >5 hours (p < 0.001). In multivariable regression analysis, operative vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.17–11.07) and a prolonged second stage (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.06–3.51) were independent predictors of third- and fourth-degree lacerations. A predictive model was developed from these results (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.68–0.81). Conclusion Prolonged second stage of labor is a predictor of OASI, after adjustment for operative vaginal delivery. A model using predelivery risk factors has a reasonable prediction of OASI. Key Points


Author(s):  
Roopali Karmarkar ◽  
Alka Bhide ◽  
Alex Digesu ◽  
Vik Khullar ◽  
Ruwan Fernando

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