Do occult anal sphincter injuries, vector volume manometry and delivery variables have any predictive value for bowel symptoms after first time vaginal delivery without third and fourth degree rupture? A prospective study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine whether there exists a correlation between anal incontinence, occult sphincter injuries, anal manometry values, and delivery variables in primiparous women after first time vaginal delivery.


METHODS
Eighty-six primigravida women were recruited for this study. Transanal ultrasonography (TAUS) and vector volume manometry (VVM) was performed and bowel symptoms were recorded at 25 weeks of pregnancy and 5 months after labor. Incontinent women at 5 months after vaginal delivery were interviewed again at 12 months.


RESULTS
Nineteen women (25%) experienced flatus incontinence postpartum. After 12 months, only one-third of the women were still incontinent. Fourteen women (19%) showed abnormal TAUS of the anal sphincter. Of the delivery variables, only baby head circumference was significantly associated with flatus incontinence (p = 0.01). There was no correlation between flatus incontinence or delivery variables and anal sphincter injuries; VVM values were not associated with either anal sphincter injuries or flatus incontinence at 5 months, but VVM values were negatively associated with flatus incontinence at 12 months after labor.


CONCLUSIONS
At 5 months after labor, flatus incontinence is relatively common, and is not associated with reduced VVM values. Two-thirds of women recover from flatus incontinence during the first year. Women who had flatus incontinence persisting for a minimum of 1 year had reduced VVM values. Anal sphincter injuries as seen by TAUS are not associated with either VVM values or any delivery variable. Baby head circumference is the only delivery variable significantly associated with flatus incontinence.
Nazir
Mohammad
M
Department of Abdominal Surgery, Ulleval Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway. Mohammad.Nazir@c2i.net
Carlsen
Erik
E
Nesheim
Britt-Ingjerd
BI
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008365:Manometry; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal