Experience with an obstetric perineal clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To review the characteristics of patients attending a dedicated perineal clinic in a maternity hospital.


METHODS
Case-note review of all new referrals over 2 years 1998 and 1999.


RESULTS
A total of 399 women were referred with mean age of 34 years (range 18-77), parity of 1.7 (range 1-13) and duration of symptoms of 14 (range 1-156) months. A total of 213 (53%) women were assessed following a recognized third degree perineal tear, 78 (20%) because of fecal incontinence, 45 (11%) for determination of future mode of delivery following a previous perineal injury, 37 (9%) women for treatment of perineal pain and 26 (7%) for other miscellaneous complaints. A total of 83 (21%) required physiotherapy, 42 (11%) received dietetic manipulation, 29 (7%) were treated for perineal pain and 12 (3%) underwent vaginal surgery. A total of 24 (6%) women were referred for consideration of secondary anal sphincter repair and 11 (3%) for specialist gastroenterological investigation.


CONCLUSIONS
The perineal clinic provides a valuable resource for investigation and treatment of postpartum perineal injury.
Fitzpatrick
Myra
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Holles Street, 2, Dublin, Ireland.
Cassidy
Mary
M
O'Connell
P Ronan
PR
O'Herlihy
Colm
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D010298:Parity; D010502:Perineum / Q000293:injuries*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014463:Ultrasonography