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Anal sphincter trauma during instrumental delivery
Author(s) -
Sultan A.H.,
Kamm M.A.,
Bartram C.I.,
Hudson C.N.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(93)90514-w
Subject(s) - forceps , pudendal nerve , medicine , forceps delivery , vaginal delivery , anal sphincter , sphincter , vacuum extraction , surgery , episiotomy , fecal incontinence , defecation , external anal sphincter , anal canal , rectum , gynecology , pregnancy , biology , genetics
OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of defecatory symptoms, pudendal nerve damage and mechanical trauma to the anal sphincters during vacuum and forceps delivery. METHODS: Anal endosonography, manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) measurements and perineometry were performed in 43 primiparae who had an instrumental delivery (17 vacuum and 26 forceps) and in 47 who had a normal vaginal delivery (controls). RESULTS: Defecatory symptoms developed in 10 (38%) women following a forceps delivery compared with 2 (4%) in the control group (P = 0.0003), and 2 (12%) following a vacuum extraction (P = NS). Anal sphincter defects occurred in 21 (81%) forceps deliveries compared with 17 (36%) controls (P = 0.0005) and 4 (21%) vacuum extractions (P = NS). Anal pressures were lower in those who developed a sphincter defect (P < 0.00001). PNTML was not significantly altered by the mode of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with vacuum extraction, forceps delivery is associated with significantly more damage to the anal sphincters and hence an increased incidence of defecatory symptoms.