Delayed sphincter repair for obstetric ruptures: Analysis of failure

Abstract

After obstetric trauma anterior anal repair gives acceptable short-term clinical results. EAUS investigation is easy and harmless to perform and should be used pre- and post-operatively. Advanced age, pre-operative signs of perineal descent, long-lasting severe incontinence symptoms and a persistent defect on postoperative EAUS seem to be related to poor clinical result.