• K van Delft, R Thakar, A H Sultan, N Schwertner-Tiepelmann, and K Kluivers.
• Urogynaecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Croydon University Hospital, Croydon, UK.
• BJOG. 2014 Aug 1; 121 (9): 1155-63; discussion 1163.

ObjectiveTo establish the incidence of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion in primiparous women and to develop a clinically applicable risk prediction model.DesignObservational longitudinal cohort study.SettingDistrict General University Hospital, United Kingdom.SampleNulliparous women at 36 weeks of gestation and 3 months postpartum.MethodsFour-dimensional transperineal ultrasound was performed during both visits. Tomographic ultrasound imaging at maximum contraction was used to diagnose no, minor or major LAM avulsion. A risk model was developed using multivariable ordinal logistic regression.Main Outcome MeasuresIncidence of LAM avulsion and its risk factors.ResultsOf 269 women with no antenatal LAM avulsion 71% (n = 191) returned postpartum. No LAM avulsion was found after caesarean section (n = 48). Following vaginal delivery the overall incidence of LAM avulsion was 21.0% (n = 30, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 15.1-28.4). Minor and major LAM avulsion were diagnosed in 4.9% (n = 7, 95% CI 2.2-9.9) and 16.1% (n = 23, 95% CI 10.9-23.0), respectively. Risk factors were obstetric anal sphincter injuries (odds ratio [OR] 4.4, 95% CI 1.6-12.1), prolonged active second stage of labour per hour (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.3) and forceps delivery (OR 6.6, 95% CI 2.5-17.2). A risk model and nomogram were developed to estimate a woman's individual risk: three risk factors combined revealed a 75% chance of LAM avulsion.ConclusionsTwenty-one percent of women sustain LAM avulsion during their first vaginal delivery. Our risk model and nomogram are novel tools to estimate individual chances of LAM avulsion. We can now target postnatal women at risk of sustaining a LAM avulsion.© 2014 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

37 keywords...

hide…