title: Long-term ailments due to anal sphincter rupture caused by delivery--a hidden problem.
abstract: Questionnaires concerning ailments were sent postpartum (mean two years) to 62 women with anal sphincter ruptures (ASR), who were compared with a matched control population. The frequency of anal sphincter rupture at the hospital during delivery in the period, 1978-82, was 0.7% (n = 63). Primiparity, instrumental deliveries, abnormal presentation, large babies and oxytocin stimulation were all risk factors. Of 59 women answering the questionnaire 37 (63%) stated that they had had ailments three months postpartum, mainly with pain and involuntary passage of flatus but also with dyspareunia and occasional incontinence of faeces. Long-term symptoms were noted by 28 (48%) of the women, mainly with involuntary passage of flatus but also perineal pain, dyspareunia and occasional incontinence of faeces. Long-term symptoms occurred in 7 (88%) of women with ASR also involving the anal mucosa, but only in 21 (39%) of those with ASR only. Three of the patients subsequently underwent reconstructive surgery, and three complained of psychological problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsingborg Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haadem
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohrlander
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lingman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000293:injuries*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture