Occiput posterior fetal head position increases the risk of anal sphincter injury in vacuum-assisted deliveries

Jennifer M. Wu, Kathryn S. Williams, Andrew F. Hundley, Anna Marie Connolly, Anthony G. Visco, Thomas Stubbs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether an occiput posterior (OP) fetal head position increases the risk for anal sphincter injury when compared with an occiput anterior (OA) position in vacuum-assisted deliveries. Study design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 393 vacuum-assisted singleton vaginal deliveries. Maternal demographics and obstetric and neonatal data were collected from an obstetric database and chart review. Results: Within the OP group, 41.7% developed a third- or fourth-degree laceration compared with 22.0% in the OA group (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.7). In a logistic regression model that controlled for BMI, race, nulliparity, length of second stage, episiotomy, birth weight, head circumference, and fetal head position, OP position was 4.0 times (95% CI 1.7-9.6) more likely to be associated with an anal sphincter injury than OA position. Conclusion: Among vacuum deliveries, an OP head position confers an incrementally increased risk for anal sphincter injury over an OA position.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)525-528
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume193
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2005

Keywords

  • Anal incontinence
  • Anal sphincter injury
  • Occiput posterior position
  • Operative vaginal delivery
  • Vacuum delivery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Occiput posterior fetal head position increases the risk of anal sphincter injury in vacuum-assisted deliveries'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this