• Myra Fitzpatrick, Mary Cassidy, P Ronan O'Connell, and Colm O'Herlihy.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Holles Street, 2, Dublin, Ireland.
• Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. 2002 Jan 10; 100 (2): 199-203.

ObjectiveTo review the characteristics of patients attending a dedicated perineal clinic in a maternity hospital.MethodsCase-note review of all new referrals over 2 years 1998 and 1999.ResultsA total of 399 women were referred with mean age of 34 years (range 18-77), parity of 1.7 (range 1-13) and duration of symptoms of 14 (range 1-156) months. A total of 213 (53%) women were assessed following a recognized third degree perineal tear, 78 (20%) because of fecal incontinence, 45 (11%) for determination of future mode of delivery following a previous perineal injury, 37 (9%) women for treatment of perineal pain and 26 (7%) for other miscellaneous complaints. A total of 83 (21%) required physiotherapy, 42 (11%) received dietetic manipulation, 29 (7%) were treated for perineal pain and 12 (3%) underwent vaginal surgery. A total of 24 (6%) women were referred for consideration of secondary anal sphincter repair and 11 (3%) for specialist gastroenterological investigation.ConclusionsThe perineal clinic provides a valuable resource for investigation and treatment of postpartum perineal injury.

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