Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ Acta Obstetricia et ...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY NC ND
Data sources: Crossref
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

Severity of perineal tears and deviations in perineal body anatomy: A three‐dimensional ultrasound study

Authors: Hanne Sether Lilleberg; Franziska Siafarikas; Kari Bø; Marie Ellström Engh;

Severity of perineal tears and deviations in perineal body anatomy: A three‐dimensional ultrasound study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Perineal tears are classified into four degrees based on severity. Second‐degree tears, which involve the muscles fusing into the perineal body, but not the anal sphincter, vary in extent and have recently been subcategorized. However, knowledge about their long‐term anatomical impact on the perineal body remains limited, as postpartum evaluation has largely relied on inspection and palpation. This study aimed to examine the association between the severity of perineal tears not affecting the anal sphincter, diagnosed at delivery, and deviations in the muscles fusing into the perineal body, assessed by three‐dimensional ultrasound 1 year after vaginal delivery. Material and Methods This prospective cohort study included 384 primiparous women with vaginal deliveries at Akershus University Hospital, Norway, from January 2021 to July 2022. Perineal tears were classified and sutured according to international standards at delivery. In addition, second‐degree tears were subclassified according to the percentage of the perineal body damage (<50% = 2A, ≥50% = 2B, entire perineal body without anal sphincter = 2C). Women with third‐ or fourth‐degree tears were excluded. One year after delivery, participants underwent three‐dimensional endovaginal and endoanal ultrasound examinations. The transverse perineal, puboperinealis, and puboanalis muscles were examined at their fusion into the perineal body. A deviation was defined as a muscle discontinuity or absence in at least one of the muscles. Results The proportion of women with sonographically detected muscle deviations increased with tear severity: 22% for first‐degree ( n = 24), 52.7% for 2A ( n = 29), 60% for 2B ( n = 21) and 86.2% for 2C ( n = 25). Among women with episiotomies ( n = 126), 60.6% had one or more muscle deviations. A higher number of muscles were affected in the 2C tear group compared to 2B and 2A. Conclusion Sonographic deviations in the muscles fusing into the perineal body increase with the severity of perineal tears.

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
gold