Anal incontinence among women with one versus two complete third-degree perineal lacerations

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 90; no. 3; pp. 213 - 217
• Main Author: Sze, E.H.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.09.2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Anal Canal - injuries; Anal Canal - pathology; Anal incontinence; Biological and medical sciences; Delivery, Obstetric - adverse effects; Delivery, Obstetric - statistics & numerical data; Fecal Incontinence - epidemiology; Fecal Incontinence - etiology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Lacerations - complications; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; North Carolina - epidemiology; Other diseases. Semiology; Perineum - injuries; Perineum - pathology; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Repeat sphincter tears; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Surveys and Questionnaires; Two third-degree perineal lacerations; North Carolina; Anal incontinence; Repeat sphincter tears; Two third-degree perineal lacerations; Human; Laceration; Gynecology; Sphincter; Perineum; Obstetrics; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Adult; Female; Anorectal disease; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2005.04.017

Objective: To compare the rate of anal incontinence and severe incontinence among women who had 0, 1, and ≥ 2 additional vaginal deliveries after sustaining a third-degree perineal laceration and between subjects with one versus two third-degree tears. Method: A telephone survey was done to assess the anal function of all subjects who sustained a complete third-degree tear as a nullipara. Result: The rate of anal incontinence and severe incontinence was similar among women who had 0, 1, and ≥ 2 additional deliveries (11/65, 11/67, and 12/40, p = 0.179; 2/65, 1/67, and 2/40, p = 0.811) and between women who had one sphincter tear and no additional delivery versus those with two tears and ≥ 2 subsequent deliveries (11/65 and 10/37, p = 0.225. 2/65 and 2/37, p = 0.460). Conclusion: Additional vaginal deliveries and a repeat sphincter tear after the initial third-degree laceration were not associated with a higher rate or severity of anal incontinence.