Accurate diagnosis and repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries: why and how

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries represent the minority of obstetric lacerations, but can have a significant long-term impact on urinary and fecal continence, as well as pelvic organ support. Accurate diagnosis of lacerations, appropriate repair, and close follow-up are essential to healthy healing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 222; no. 6; pp. 580.e1 - 580.e5
Main Authors Hickman, Lisa C., Propst, Katie
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2020
Subjects
Childbirth
episiotomy
fecal incontinence
obstetric anal sphincter injury
obstetric laceration
obstetric laceration
episiotomy
fecal incontinence
Childbirth
obstetric anal sphincter injury
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Summary:Obstetric anal sphincter injuries represent the minority of obstetric lacerations, but can have a significant long-term impact on urinary and fecal continence, as well as pelvic organ support. Accurate diagnosis of lacerations, appropriate repair, and close follow-up are essential to healthy healing and to improve outcomes for women. The infrequency of these injuries has resulted in a lack of familiarity with laceration repair and postpartum care of this population at all levels of practice. As such, continuing education strategies aimed at simulation, increased clinical exposure to anal sphincter injuries, and evidence-based repair techniques are important for mitigating the deficits in the current obstetric environment. Ensuring that patients have access to timely multidisciplinary postpartum care and education on the laceration incurred is essential to promote healthy healing and to optimize pelvic floor outcomes.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:0002-9378
1097-6868
DOI:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.02.044