How to set up a perineal clinic

Abstract

All women sustaining obstetric anal sphincter injury should be reviewed at 6–12 weeks postpartum. All women with anal incontinence should be offered endoanal ultrasound, anorectal physiology testing and review by a clinician with experience in anal sphincter injury. A perineal clinic provides the setting for debriefing and provision of consistent, accurate information from clinicians with a special interest in sphincter injury. Learning objectives: To be aware of the benefits of a perineal clinic. To learn how to set up a perineal clinic. Ethical issues: Should anorectal testing be a routine part of the follow‐up of all women after anal sphincter injury or restricted to symptomatic women? Who is responsible for debriefing women sustaining anal sphincter injury? Please cite this article as: Fowler G, Williams A, Murphy G, Taylor K, Wood C, Adams E. How to set up a perineal clinic. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:129–132.