Clinical symptoms after anal sphincter rupture: a retrospective study
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden. johanna.wagenuis@helsingborgslasarett.se
Background:
To evaluate the current anal sphincter function, the frequency of urinary incontinence and of dyspareunia in patients with earlier anal sphincter rupture following vaginal delivery.
Design:
Retrospective case-control study between 1994 and 1999 at the Central Hospital of Helsingborg, Sweden.
Participants:
Two hundred and eighteen women with a history of obstetric anal sphincter rupture and 436 matched controls.
Methods:
Postal questionnaire regarding anal incontinence, urinary incontinence, dyspareunia and lifestyle alterations. Obstetric data were collected from hospital records.
Results:
Of the 654 women included, 534 (82%) responded at a median follow up of 4 ears. Anal incontinence was significantly more common among patients with sphincter rupture. Sixty-one (33%) reported incontinence of flatus and 39 (21%) incontinence of liquid stools compared with 53 (15%) and 26 (7%) in the control group. Dyspareunia was reported by 26 (14%) patients and 20 (6%) controls. The symptoms of dyspareunia seemed to decrease with time. There was no significant difference in urinary incontinence between the two groups. A third of the women in the case group claimed that their problems with anal incontinence affected their daily lives, but only a few had asked for medical assistance.
Conclusions:
Anal sphincter rupture is strongly associated with anal incontinence and dyspareunia several years postpartum. The complaints affect the daily lives of these women to a great extent.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
