Postpartum Perineal Assessment After Vaginal Birth and Detection of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury: A Scoping Review

Background Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs) are often under‐recognised. International guidelines vary, especially on postpartum reassessment and diagnostic escalation. Search Strategy, Data Collection and Analysis A PRISMA‐ScR scoping review mapped international guidance and supporting evidence, with AGREE II appraisal of formal guideline sets. Main Results We included 14 core guidelines, 3 regional documents and 31 evidence sources. Guidelines addressed immediate postpartum perineal assessment, but recommendations varied considerably regarding digital rectal examination, role and timing of imaging, diagnostic escalation and structured follow‐up. Guidance on implementation, including documentation, training and audit/quality improvement, was also inconsistent across documents. Conclusions These key gaps highlight areas for future research and guideline development.