Perineal Trauma Flashcards
How many women ensure some degree of trauma during childbirth?
- 85%
- 69% require repair
What is a 1st degree tear?
Injury to perineal skin and/or vaginal mucosa only
What is a 2nd degree tear?
Injury to perineal muscles excluding the anal sphincter
What is a 3rd degree tear?
Trauma involving the anal sphincter:
3a - <50% of external anal sphincter
3b - >50% of EAS torn
3c - both the EAS and internal anal sphincter torn
What is a 4th degree tear?
Injury to the anal sphincter complex and extends into the rectal lumen through the rectal mucosa
What do EAS and IAS stand for?
External and Internal Anal Sphincter
What can the anal sphincter muscle do?
- Differentiate between solid, liquid and gas
- Can tell whether the person is alone or with someone
- Can tell whether the person is standing up or sitting down
- Can tell whether the person has their pants on or off
What are the risk factors for anal sphincter injuries?
- Nulliparity
- Maternal age >25
- Asian ethnicity
- FGM
- BMI <25
- BW >4kg
- Precipitate 2nd stage
- Shoulder dystocia
What does OASI stand for?
Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury
What are the effects of OASI?
- Incontinent of flatus
- Incontinent of faeces
- Urgency when toileting
- Experience pain
- Sexual problems
How should OASI be managed?
- Diagnose asap
- Dedicated consultant OASI clinic appt
- Seen as 16 weeks PN
- Physiotherapy
- Consistent care and advice
- Correct medication (lactulose)
What are some common allegations that are made?
- Failure to consider to CS
- Failure to perform/ extend the episiotomy
- Failure to diagnose the true extent and grade of the injury including failure to perform rectal examination
- Inadequate post-repair management
What are the 3 types of episiotomy?
Medial = straight down the midline from the vagina to the anus Mediolateral = between the midline and the lateral line Lateral = perpendicular to the midline
How are most episiotomies in the UK performed?
Mediolaterally towards the woman’s right hand side
What are the main indications for episiotomy?
- Tight perineum causing poor progress
- Allow more space for instrumental deliveries
- Prevent damage during face/breech presentation
- Shorten 2nd stage of labour for foetal distress/ maternal medical condition
- FGM