Pubovisceral muscle and anal sphincter defects in women with fecal or urinary incontinence after vaginal delivery

The Association Between Levator Ani Integrity and Postpartum Ano-Rectal Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Pregnancy and delivery are commonly associated with ano-rectal dysfunction. In addition, vaginal delivery may impact both the structure and functionality of the pelvic floor. Herein, we systematically reviewed the literature for the potential association between levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion and ano-rectal function after childbirth.

METHODS

We systematically searched the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, CENTRAL (Cochrane), Clinicaltrials.gov, and ICTRP databases from inception. We selected studies reporting on the anatomy of the LAM and ano-rectal function within 24 months after childbirth, the former determined by imaging and the latter measured through validated questionnaires or ano-rectal manometry. Meta-analyses were used to pool data from studies reporting on the association between LAM avulsion and ano-rectal function, with subgroup analysis according to the presence or absence of anal sphincter trauma. Summary odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) are reported with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

From the 7,621 studies identified, 11 were included, reporting on 2,146 women. Ten studies used transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and one study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for LAM assessment. Ano-rectal function was assessed through validated questionnaires in all but one study, in which ano-rectal manometry was used. There was no evidence for an association between LAM avulsion and symptoms of incontinence (OR 1.75 [0.74, 4.12]; MD 0.13 [-0.58, 0.85]), including in the subgroup of patients with concomitant anal sphincter injury (OR 1.83 [0.71, 4.71]).

CONCLUSIONS

We did not identify an association between LAM avulsion and ano-rectal dysfunction following vaginal childbirth.

Assessing Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries: A Comparison of Exoanal and Endoanal Ultrasound

OBJECTIVES

To explore the differences in assessing obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) between transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) and test relationships between ultrasound findings and anal incontinence (AI) symptoms.

METHODS

A group of 196 women with a history of vaginal delivery was recruited. OASI was detected in a set of 5 slices by EAUS and 8 slices by TPUS. OASI grading was performed on TPUS rules and EAUS rules. A "significant sphincter defect" was diagnosed by TPUS and EAUS using "2/3 rules." Symptoms of AI were determined using the St Mark's Incontinence Score (SMIS). Ultrasound findings were compared between the two methods and correlated with symptoms.

RESULTS

Of 196 women, 29 (14.8%) suffered from AI with a mean SMIS of 12.1 ± 4.5, and 70 (35.7%) women with a mean age of 57 years had suspected OASI on imaging. Twenty-one (10.7%) "significant defects" were diagnosed by TPUS and 24 (12.2%) by EAUS. OASI Grades on TPUS had good agreement with EAUS rules (k = 0.70, P < .001). Logistic regression analysis showed that OASI Grade on imaging and "significant sphincter defects" seen on both forms of imaging were associated with AI symptoms. The odds ratio was 46 and 38 for "significant defects" on TPUS and EAUS, and 14 and 7 for OASI 3b+ on TPUS and EAUS in predicting AI, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

"Significant defects" diagnosed by EAUS or TPUS and OASI Grade 3b+ predict AI symptoms. The diagnostic performance of endoanal and exoanal ultrasound (EAUS and TPUS) appear to be very similar.

CORRELATION BETWEEN PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION ON DYNAMIC 3D ULTRASOUND AND VAGINAL DELIVERY, PARITY, AND AGE IN WOMEN WITH OBSTRUCTED DEFECATION SYMPTOMS

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated the constipation or obstructed defecation symptoms identified by using imaging, as dynamic three-dimensional ultrasound and correlate vaginal delivery, parity, and age.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunctions in female patients with obstructed defection symptoms and to determine whether specific pelvic floor dysfunctions identified by dynamic three-dimensional ultrasonography (echodefecography) are correlated with vaginal delivery, parity, and age. The secondary goal is to report the prevalence of coexisting pelvic floor dysfunctions.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study including patients with obstructed defecation symptoms underwent echodefecographyto evaluate pelvic floor dysfunctions in the posterior compartment and correlate with vaginal delivery, parity, and age.

RESULTS

Of 889 female: 552 (62%) had had vaginal delivery and 337 (38%) were nulliparous. The prevalence of dysfunctions identified by echodefecography (rectocele, intussusception, enterocele/sigmoidocele, and dyssynergia) was similar between the two groups and was not associated with number of deliveriesor age. However, the prevalence of sphincter defects showed higher rates in women with vaginal delivery and increased with the parity. Up to 33% of patients had coexisting dysfunctions.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of dysfunctions such as rectocele, intussusception, dyssynergia, and enterocele/sigmoidocele assessed by echodefecography in patients with obstructed defecation symptoms are found similar regardless of vaginal delivery, number of deliveries or stratified-age. In vaginal delivery, number of deliveries does impact on detection of sphincter defects and liability to fecal incontinence.