Wound complications common after repair of obstetric anal injuries: review

The first meta-analysis to quantify the rate of complications is a wake-up call for clinicians to modify practice, researchers say

Wound infection and dehiscence are relatively common following surgical repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries, a novel systematic review shows.

UK researchers say their findings — which suggest a true incidence rate of up to 16% — could be used to counsel women with severe perineal lacerations who are eligible for primary repair.