A surgical technique for secondary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries; sphinctero-vagino-perineoplasty

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to present the preliminary results of seven patients treated with sphinctero-vagino-perineoplasty for secondary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on the records of seven patients who underwent secondary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries at the colorectal surgery unit of a tertiary care center between February 2015 and December 2017. RESULTS: All patients with solid stool incontinence were fully recovered at postoperative month 3. The Wexner incontinence score was significantly improved (decreased from 14.12 [range: 8-20] to 2.28 [range: 1-4]). The complication rate was 85.7% (wound infection, abscess, hematoma, detachment). CONCLUSION: Combined repair of anal sphinchters, perineal body, superficial transverse perineal muscles, and bulbospongious muscles, which contribute to anal continence, may improve surgical outcomes in patients with obstetric anal sphincter injuries.