Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries - Morbidity and long-term functional outcomes

2020.11.17 | Graduate School of Health

Thursday 26 November at 15:15, Malou Eva Maria Barbosa defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries - Morbidity and long-term functional outcomes".

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are a feared complication to vaginal delivery and are associated with significant morbidity. A substantial number of women with OASIS will experience considerable short-term complications, such as infection and breakdown of the primary repair. If not adequately managed, problems such as anal incontinence (AI), urinary incontinence and dyspareunia, can develop in the long term, causing psychosocial problems and impaired quality of life (QoL).

The aim of the dissertation was to assess short-term complications following a primary repair and the long-term functional outcomes following a secondary repair, performed early (within 21 days of delivery) and late (> 3 months after delivery), in the search for the optimal timing of a secondary repair with the fewest complications and the best long-term functional outcome. Furthermore, we investigated whether endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) 10 days after primary repair of OASIS could predict the severity of AI in the long term. We concluded that, regardless of the timing of the sphincter repair, AI is common after OASIS and associated with considerable morbidity. Furthermore, we were not able to demonstrate a correlation between sonographic sphincter defects and AI. 

The summary is written by the PhD student.    

The defence is public and takes place online via Zoom and with limited attendance in Auditorium G206-142, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N. Please read the attached press release for more information.

Contact:

PhD student Malou Eva Maria Barbosa

Mail: malou.barbosa@clin.au.dk

Phone: (+45) 40514145

Read full press release