Method: This systematic review identified relevant studies from the following sources:
Medline, Cochrane database, cross referencing from identified articles, conference abstracts …

Faecal incontinence can affect individuals of all ages and in many cases greatly impairs
quality of life, but incontinent patients should not accept their debility as either inevitable or …

Background Lacerations of the anal sphincter or injury to sphincter innervation during
childbirth are major causes of fecal incontinence, but the incidence and importance of occult …

Objectives To determine (i) risk factors in the development of third degree obstetric tears and
(ii) the success of primary sphincter repair. Design (i) Retrospective analysis of obstetric …

Objective To determine risk factors for the occurrence of third degree perineal tears during
vaginal delivery. Design A population-based observational study. Population All 284,783 …

Objective: To identify the obstetric factors relating to anal sphincter injury at first vaginal
delivery by prospective cohort study of primiparous women. Methods: We compared the …

Background Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are the commonest cause of anal
incontinence in women of reproductive age. We determined the risk of anal sphincter defects …

Defects of the external anal sphincter have traditionally been diagnosed by palpation, anal
manometry and electromyography (EMG), but anal endosonography enables clear imaging …

Objective: To evaluate the relation between midline episiotomy and postpartum anal
incontinence. Design: Retrospective cohort study with three study arms and six months of …

Anterior sphincter repair for faecal incontinence related to obstetric trauma was performed in
55 patients: 32 with incontinence after delivery and 23 with late onset. Anal endosonography …