Abstract:
To record obstetrical damage of the external and internal anal sphincter 36 primiparae with intact perineum as well as second degree perineal tears, respectively median episiotomy, were investigated. Of special interest were the effects of sonographical traceable anal sphincter disruption. After a detailed interview, manometrical and endosonographical investigation of the anal sphincter was undertaken. There was no evidence of a parameter which had a significant impact on the development of perineal damage or sonographical sphincter alteration. Perineal damage had no significant impact on the development of a sonographically traceable sphincter alteration. The patients showed no significant difference concerning obstetric variables and post partal impairment, such as gas and urinary incontinence, dyspareunia, fecal urgency and ability of differentiation between stool and gas. These factors seem to have no influence on perineal damage, respectively structural sphincter alterations and, median-term on incontinence. Squeezing pressures in manometrical investigations were about 69 mmHg lower in patients with perineal damage compared to those with intact perineum (p= 0,03). The rectal compliance of patients with intact perineum with increased stretching of the pelvic floor, was reduced by about 3,6 ml compared to the patients with perineal damage (p= 0,006). The patients with sonographical traceable sphincter alterations showed a more seldom redemption of the rectoanal inhibiting reflex and an about 0,6 cm reduced length of the anal canal (p= 0,022) compared to the patients with intact sphincter. In relation to the resting pressure and the measurements of rectal distension there was no significant difference between the groups of patients. The vectormanometrical representations of the sphincter showed again a significant shorter anal canal in patients with sonographical sphincter alterations, especially when the internal anal sphincter was affected (p= 0,016). Vector volume and high pressure zone were partially reduced in patients with perineal damage and those with sonographical sphincter alterations (not significant).
Furthermore, in radial symmetry, no significant differences were ascertained. Diagnosed by endosonography, 56% of the patients showed a structural sphincter alteration (as well endoanal as endovaginal). The patients with perineal damage and those with intact perineum didn?t show any significant differences. There was no significant difference of muscle thickness in the different patient groups. Comparing endoanal and endovaginal sonography, a significant difference was partially found in the muscle thickness between the internal and external anal sphincter (p= 0,039, respectively p< 0,0001). The comparison of manometry and sonography demonstrated no correlation of sphincter alteration and resting or squeezing pressure. The measurement of the muscle thickness correlated partially with resting and squeezing pressure, especially concerning certain parts of the anal canal. In addition, patients with low graded perineal lacerations, like episiotomy and second degree perineal tears, similar to patients with intact perineum, manometric changes of the sphincter function are detectable. Furthermore, endosonographical structural changes of the sphincters could be demonstrated. A correlation between sonographical traceable sphincter alterations, the clinical as well as functional manometric results could not be proved.