E-Posters-Do Small Babies Cause more Faecal Incontinence for Women with OASIS?

Do Small Babies Cause more Faecal Incontinence for Women with OASIS? - Jane Loh, MBBS

Pdf Summary

A study conducted at a one-stop perineal clinic in the UK aimed to investigate the factors associated with symptoms of anal incontinence and fecal urgency following obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). The clinic saw a total of 226 women with OASIS, and a definitive plan regarding future mode of delivery was made for 176 of them.<br /><br />Out of the 176 women, 149 (85%) were recommended to have a vaginal delivery in the future, while the remaining were advised to have a caesarean section. Among the women, 27 (15%) reported flatus incontinence and 25 (14%) experienced fecal urgency. An endoanal ultrasound scan was performed on 163 women, and 76% of them were found to have an intact anal sphincter.<br /><br />The study observed that women who delivered lighter babies were more likely to be advised to have a caesarean section. This finding suggests that units that do not routinely offer endoanal ultrasound scans should consider referring women who sustain an OASIS with babies weighing 3.0 kg or less for further assessment.<br /><br />In conclusion, 85% of women with OASIS were deemed suitable for a vaginal delivery. However, delivering lighter babies and sustaining OASIS were associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing symptoms and being recommended to have a caesarean section. The study suggests that units without routine endoanal ultrasound scans should consider referring women with small babies who sustain OASIS for further assessment.

Keywords

perineal clinic

OASIS

vaginal delivery

caesarean section

flatus incontinence

fecal urgency

endoanal ultrasound scan

intact anal sphincter

lighter babies

assessment