title: Anal endosonographic findings in the follow-up of primarily sutured sphincteric ruptures.
abstract: Twenty-four women with primary suture of an obstetric tear of the anal sphincter were examined with anal endosonography a median of 12 (range 3-18) months after delivery. Endosonography was normal in ten patients, of whom one was incontinent. The examination showed a defect in the external anal sphincter in 13 patients; six of these were incontinent, two of whom had normal findings on palpation. An isolated internal sphincter defect was found in a continent patient. Since anal endosonography causes no more discomfort than digital examination, it may be useful to identify patients who would benefit from surgical reconstruction of the anal sphincter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Ultrasound, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hauge
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christiansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012421:Rupture; D014463:Ultrasonography