Anorectal complications of vaginal delivery

The incidence of anorectal complications following vaginal delivery was studied in 20,500 women. One thousand forty (5 percent) of all normal vaginal deliveries resulted in episiotomy with third- and fourth-degree extension or a fourth-degree perineal tear. Of these fourth-degree lacerations, 101 patients (10 percent) experienced wound disruption after primary repair. Sixty-seven patients (66 percent) experienced wound disruption that required surgical correction. Anorectal complications were anal ulcer, anorectal abscess, sphincteric disruption, and rectovaginal fistula. Surgical correction of these complications resulted in satisfactory outcome.