Incontinence following rupture of the anal sphincter during delivery.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency with which patients report incontinence of flatus or stool after rupture of the anal sphincter during delivery.

METHODS

A chart review and telephone interview were conducted with 70 primiparas, 35 of whom had rupture of the anal sphincter at delivery and 35 of whom did not. All were contacted 9-12 months postpartum and questioned about the development of incontinence of gas or liquid or formed stool, persistent dyspareunia, and perineal pain.

RESULTS

Incontinence of gas was reported by six women (17%) in the rupture group and one (3%) in the control group (P < .05). The incidence of incontinence of stool, both liquid and solid, dyspareunia, and persistent perineal pain were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Incontinence of flatus was reported six times more often by women who experienced a third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration than by those without anal sphincter rupture.