Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Features, Treatment and Outcome of Coital Injuries of the Female Genital Tract Consecutive to Consensual Sexual Intercourse in the Limbe Regional Hospital

INTRODUCTION: Nonobstetrical genital injuries are gradually becoming a common cause of genital injuries. Consensual sex has been reported to be a possible cause of this type of injuries, but its contribution to traumatic lesions of the female genital tract is not well known. It has been suggested that injury consecutive to consensual sex can be extensive and life‐threatening. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features, treatment modalities, and the outcome of injuries to the female genital tract consecutive to a consensual sexual intercourse. METHODS: A retrospective review of records of female patients admitted in our institution with a complaint of genital injury over a 5‐year period. We collected data regarding patient and injury characteristics, findings of the gynecologic examination, modalities of management and final outcome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anatomic location and nature of injury, modalities of management, admission rate and mortality rate. RESULTS: Forty six cases could be analyzed. Their mean age was 25.6 years. Almost 35% of patients sustained the injury during their first sexual contact. The majority presented with bleeding, often combined with pain. One patient presented with features of peritonitis. During examination, no anatomic lesions could be identified in 16 (34.8%) of patients. When a lesion was present, it concerned mostly the posterior fornix (28.3%) and the lateral vaginal wall (10%). The most frequently described lesion was a laceration. The majority of patients (83%) were treated with suturing under local anesthesia. The admission rate was 28%, and was significantly higher in patients with a laceration of the posterior fornix. No death was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Coital injuries following consensual sex often present in the form of a life‐threatening condition and young female with no previous sexual experience are particularly exposed. Most lesions can be treated with a simple suture. T chounzou R and C hichom‐ M efire A . Retrospective analysis of clinical features, treatment and outcome of coital injuries of the female genital tract consecutive to consensual sexual intercourse in the L imbe R egional H ospital. S ex M ed 2015;3:256–260.