Symptoms of fecal incontinence two decades after no, one, or two obstetrical anal sphincter injuries

The risk of sustaining a repeat sphincter injury at the second delivery was almost tripled compared with the risk at the first delivery. Furthermore, 1 or 2 sphincter injuries brought severe long-term consequences for bowel continence. Accidental leakage of stool and gas increased with each sphincter injury, and the effect was proportionally cumulative. After the age of 52 years, the prevalence of fecal incontinence seemed to accelerate.