Anovaginal distance and obstetric anal sphincter injury: a prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction and hypothesis

No measurements are available for diagnosing the extent of obstetric lacerations. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between the anovaginal distance (AVD) measured with transperineal ultrasound immediately after delivery and external anal sphincter injury. A secondary aim was to assess whether the palpated perineal thickness was associated with the AVD.

Methods

A prospective observational study of 150 primiparous women at the University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. After vaginal delivery, initial inspection and palpation of the perineal thickness were performed by the midwife. The women were then divided into subgroups depending on the degree of the suspected perineal laceration. Transperineal ultrasound of the AVD was perf

SUBMITTER: Pihl S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6511353 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature