Postpartum Perineal Assessment After Vaginal Birth and Detection of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury: A Scoping Review
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs) are often under-recognised. International guidelines vary, especially on postpartum reassessment and diagnostic escalation. SEARCH STRATEGY, DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: A PRISMA-ScR scoping review mapped international guidance and supporting evidence, with AGREE II appraisal of formal guideline sets. MAIN RESULTS: We included 14 core guidelines, 3 regional documents and 31 evidence sources. Guidelines addressed immediate postpartum perineal assessment, but recommendations varied considerably regarding digital rectal examination, role and timing of imaging, diagnostic escalation and structured follow-up. Guidance on implementation, including documentation, training and audit/quality improvement, was also inconsistent across documents. CONCLUSIONS: These key gaps highlight areas for future research and guideline development.
Authors: Carlo Ratto, Abdul H. Sultan, Ruwan Fernando, Renaud de Tayrac, Stefano Salvatore, Stavros Athanasiou, Hynek Heřman, Stephan Kropshofer, Diaa Essameldin Ali Rizk, Peter L. Rosenblatt, Andrea Stuart, Jan Baekelandt, Adam Dziki, Mariusz Grzesiak, Magdalena Emilia Grzybowska, Antonino Spinelli
Institutions: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Croydon University Hospital, Brunel University of London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College London, Université de Montpellier, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nîmes, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Charles University, Ústav pro Péči o Matku a Dítě, Innsbruck Medical University, Universität Innsbruck, Arabian Gulf University, Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard University, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Imelda Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Gdańsk Medical University, Humanitas University, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Urology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7225597284