Trends in obstetric anal sphincter injuries over 10 years

Abstract

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) is a known complication of vaginal delivery and has significant public health issues, as it can cause both short- and long-term morbidity in women. The most commonly reported complications include different grades of faecal/flatus incontinence, pain and sexual dysfunction. In our study, we found a rising trend in OASIS rates in vaginal deliveries, with the rising rate of forceps and the falling rate of SVD, which is at least partly due to increased awareness and training in OASIS. However, there is an actual increase in the number of such tears at vaginal deliveries. Midwifery and obstetric practices have certainly changed over the last decade and we discuss the possible factors, which might be contributing to such a rise.

Keywords::

• Anal sphincter tear
• incidence
• obstetric perineal injury
• outcome
• risk factors

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank all those who have helped with the collection of the data and Mr David Young, statistician at the Strathclyde University, for statistical advice.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.