Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis: The objectives of this study were to estimate the rates of sonographically detected anal sphincter defects within 72 h of childbirth and to evaluate intra- and interobserver agreement using three-dimensional (3-D) endoanal sonography data. Methods: This is a prospective observational study of primiparous women delivered vaginally. Women without clinically identified anal sphincter lacerations underwent endoanal ultrasonography within 72 h of delivery. Intra- and interobserver agreement for diagnosis of sphincter defects using 3-D endoanal sonography data was calculated using kappa statistics. Results: The rate of sphincter defects in 107 women undergoing 3-D endoanal sonography was 12 %. Characteristics of women with sonographically detected sphincter defects, compared to those without, included a significantly increased rate of clinically diagnosed second-degree lacerations (54 vs 20 %, p 0.008). The intra- and interobserver agreement for diagnosis of sphincter defects using 3-D endoanal sonography data was 0.82 [confidence interval (CI) 0.66-0.99] and 0.72 (CI 0.54-0.92), respectively. Conclusions: Anal sphincter defects detected using endoanal sonography are common, occurring in 12 % of primiparous women, and are significantly associated with other less severe perineal lacerations. Overall and combining sonographically detected defects with clinically diagnosed lacerations, we estimate that 17.8 % of primiparous women delivered vaginally sustain anal sphincter injuries. The intraobserver agreement for diagnosis of sphincter defects is very good and the interobserver agreement is good.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 627-635 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2013 |
Keywords
- Anal sphincter defects
- Endoanal sonography
- Occult anal sphincter injury
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Urology