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Ultrasound imaging of maternal birth trauma

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International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The term ‘maternal birth trauma’ has undergone substantial changes in meaning over the last 2 decades. Leaving aside psychological morbidity, somatic trauma is now understood to encompass not just episiotomy, perineal tears and obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI), but also trauma to the levator ani muscle. This review covers diagnosis of maternal birth trauma by translabial ultrasound imaging.

Methods

Narrative review.

Results

Tomographic imaging of pelvic structures with the help of 4D ultrasound, used since 2007, has allowed international standardization and seems to be highly reproducible and valid for the diagnosis of OASI and levator avulsion.

Conclusions

Translabial and exo-anal ultrasound allows the assessment of maternal birth trauma in routine clinical practice and the utilization of avulsion and sphincter trauma as key performance indicators of maternity services. It is hoped that this will lead to a greater awareness of maternal birth trauma among maternity caregivers and improved outcomes for patients, both in the short term and in the decades to come.

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  1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Neonatology, Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, 62 Derby Street, Kingswood, NSW, 2747, Australia

    Hans Peter Dietz

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Correspondence to Hans Peter Dietz.

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HP Dietz has received unrestricted educational grants, travel assistance and lecture fees from GE Medical and Mindray. HP Dietz is the Director of the IUGA Online Course 'Pelvic Floor Imaging' accessible at: https://www.iuga.org/education/pfic/pfic-overview.

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Dietz, H.P. Ultrasound imaging of maternal birth trauma. Int Urogynecol J 32, 1953–1962 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-020-04669-8

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