OBJECTIVE: Using three-dimensional transperineal ultrasonography, we compared the prevalence of levator ani muscle injury after forceps with vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery.
METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Women who experienced at least one forceps delivery (across all deliveries) were compared with women who had at least one vacuum birth. On average, participants were 10 years from the index delivery. Three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound volumes were captured as cine loops at rest with Valsalva and with pelvic floor muscle contraction. The primary outcome was levator ani muscle avulsion. Secondary outcomes included hiatal diameter and area. Prevalence of pelvic floor disorders was also compared between the two delivery groups.
RESULTS: Among 45 participants in the forceps group and 28 participants in the vacuum group, there were no differences between groups in maternal age at first delivery, parity, body mass index, birth weight, episiotomy, or duration of second stage. History of anal sphincter laceration was more common in the forceps group. The prevalence of levator ani muscle avulsion was significantly higher after forceps compared with vacuum delivery (22/45 [49%] compared with 5/28 [18%], P=.012, prevalence ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-6.40, odds ratio 4.40 [95% CI 1.42-13.62]). Controlling for delivery type, levator ani muscle avulsion was associated with symptoms of prolapse (P=.036), although objective evidence of prolapse was not significantly different between groups (P=.20).
CONCLUSION: Ten years after delivery, the prevalence of levator avulsion is almost tripled after forceps compared with vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery.
Written by:
Memon HU, Blomquist JL, Dietz HP, Pierce CB, Weinstein MM, Handa VL. Are you the author?
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University; Department of Gynecology, Greater Baltimore Medical Center; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Sydney Medical School Nepean, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Reference: Obstet Gynecol. 2015 May;125(5):1080-7.
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000000825
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25932835