Avulsion of the pubovisceral muscle associated with large vaginal tear after normal vaginal delivery at term

Trauma to the levator ani muscle commonly occurs during vaginal childbirth and is associated with female pelvic organ prolapse in later life. To date, such trauma was thought to be occult. We present a case of intrapartum diagnosis of levator avulsion in a patient who suffered a large vaginal tear at the time of a normal vaginal delivery at term.