Table 2.
Risk of anal incontinence three and six months after childbirth for varying degrees of perineal injury. Figures are numbers (percentage) of women
| Outcome | Intact/1st degree tear (intact group) | 2nd degree tear | 3rd/4th degree tear | 2nd/3rd/4th degree tear (tear group) | Episiotomy (episiotomy group) | Episiotomy with no extension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faecal incontinence: | ||||||
| At 3 months | 5/205 (2.4) | 5/154 (3.3) | 2/50 (4.0) | 7/204 (3.4) | 20/203 (9.9) | 13/147 (8.8) |
| At 6 months | 3/201 (1.5) | 3/152 (2.0) | 0/49 (0) | 3/201 (1.5) | 8/195 (4.1) | 6/141 (4.3) |
| Flatus incontinence: | ||||||
| At 3 months | 40/192 (20.8) | 27/144 (18.8) | 9/48 (18.8) | 36/192 (18.8) | 63/187 (33.7) | 39/137 (28.5) |
| At 6 months | 20/188 (10.6) | 18/142 (12.7) | 5/47 (10.6) | 23/189 (12.2) | 42/181 (23.2) | 26/133 (19.6) |