Symptomatic and physiological consequences of obstetric anal sphincter injury in post-partum females

A rise in the prevalence of faecal incontinence was noted on long-term follow up (20 to 25%). However, a large number of patients were noted to cross-over between the groups either becoming asymptomatic or developing faecal incontinence. Fourth degree tears and older the mother at time of developing a tear during delivery were the only obstetric factors associated with the development of faecal incontinence in the long-term. Birth weight, epidural, induction, vacuum/forceps delivery or episiotomy were not. Some abnormal results on anorectal manometry performed initially, were likely to predict the occurrence/persistence of faecal incontinence on follow up.