Table 5.

Size of defect in the anal sphincters at endoanal ultrasound

All participants (N = 94)	Mean	95% CI	Median	Interquartile range	Minimum–maximum
Defect in internal sphincter preoperatively (°)	123	117–129	120	15.0	60–180
Defect in internal sphincter at 5 weeks postoperatively (°)	3	0–7.8	0	0.0	0–120
Defect in internal sphincter at long-term follow-up (°) (N = 78)	39	28–52	0	90.0	0–180
Defect in external sphincter preoperatively (°)	123	123–132	120	30.0	60–180
Defect in external sphincter at 6 weeks postoperatively(°)	3	0–7.8	0	0.0	0–120
Defect in external sphincter at follow-up(°) (N = 78)	19	11–129	0	7.5	0–120

Clock hours are also commonly used to describe the size of defects in the anal sphincters, and 1 h is equivalent to 30°