Changes in anal anatomy following vaginal delivery revealed by anal endosonography

Citation
A. Frudinger et al., Changes in anal anatomy following vaginal delivery revealed by anal endosonography, BR J OBST G, 106(3), 1999, pp. 233-237
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Medicine","da verificare
Journal title
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
ISSN journal
14700328 → ACNP
Volume
106
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
233 - 237
Database
ISI
SICI code
1470-0328(199903)106:3<233:CIAAFV>2.0.ZU;2-P
Abstract
Objective To investigate changes in anal canal anatomy following vaginal de livery in women without apparent sphincter injury. Prospective controlled o bservational study. Design Setting District general hospital. Population Consecutive parous and nulliparous women attending a gynaecology outpatient clinic. Methods All women were examined using anal endosonography, and parous subje cts without apparent sphincter injury compared with age-matched nulliparous controls to determine any differences in general anal canal morphology. Main outcome measures individual anal canal components were measured at def ined levels and subjects compared with controls. Results Twenty-one of 54 parous women had no anal sphincter scar. Compared with nulliparous women, they had significant anterior sphincter thinning (m ean 3.7 mm vs 4.6 mm, P < 0.01) in association with lateral external sphinc ter thickening (mean 7.0 mm vs 4.4 mm, P < 0.01), and longitudinal muscle t hickening (mean 2.8 mm vs 2.1 mm, P < 0.01). Conclusions Specific changes in anal morphology have been demonstrated foll owing vaginal delivery in women without apparent sphincter injury.