European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Recent years have seen an increase in our awareness of possible long-term effects of intrapartum strain on the pelvic floor. Structural damage to the anal sphincter during vaginal delivery may predispose to the development of anal incontinence, whether in the immediate postpartum period or later in life. Vaginal birth is a risk factor for anal incontinence in women. Objective - To determine the clinical characteristics of occult perineal tear and outcome after vaginal delivery diagnosed with transperineaL and/ endoanal ultrasonography in postpartum women Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in the department of Radio diagnosis, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, which took the study period from 1st January, 2021 to 31stSeptember, 2022.The present study was carried on 100 patients, among them 27 patients with symptoms of anal incontinence and 73 asymptomatic patients. Result: In this study both trasperineal and endoanal ultrasonography was performed but majority of our patients refused for Endoanal ultrasonography during 1st visit and follow up visit. So a finding of Endoanal ultrasonography is not included in this study. In our study duration of 2nd stage of labour in relation to chances of occult perineal tear revealed majority of patients had prolonged 2nd stage of labour(out of 9 patients of occult perineal tear 7 patients had history of >90 minutes 2nd stage of labour). Conclusion: Patients having prolonged 2nd stage of labour (>90 minutes) tends to show more chance of occult perineal tear. Occult perineal tear is more common in primiparous women. Associated findings like tranperinal ultrasound at 6 weeks and 3 months after delivery does not show any significant difference in thickness of anal sphincter;