Caesarean section in the second delivery to prevent anal incontinence after asymptomatic obstetric anal sphincter injury: the EPIC multicentre randomised trial.

Abstract

To determine whether planned caesarean section (CS) for a second delivery protects against anal incontinence in women with obstetric anal sphincter lesions. Randomised trial. Six maternity units in the Paris area. Women at high risk of sphincter lesions (first delivery with third-degree laceration and/or forceps) but no symptomatic anal incontinence. Endoanal ultrasound was performed in the third trimester of the second pregnancy. Women with sphincter lesions were randomised to planned CS or vaginal delivery (VD). Anal incontinence at 6 months postpartum. Secondary outcomes were urinary incontinence, sexual morbidity, maternal and neonatal morbidities and worsening of external sphincter lesions. Anal sphincter lesions were detected by ultrasound in 264/434 women enrolled (60.8%); 112 were randomised to planned VD and 110 to planned CS. At 6-8 weeks after delivery, there was no significant difference in anal continence between the two groups. At 6 months after delivery, median Vaizey scores of anal incontinence were 1 (interquartile range 0-4) in the CS group and 1 (interquartile range 0-3) in the VD group (P = 0.34). There were no significant differences for urinary continence, sexual functions or for other maternal and neonatal morbidities. In women with asymptomatic obstetric anal sphincter lesions diagnosed by ultrasound, planning a CS had no significant impact on anal continence 6 months after the second delivery. These results do not support advising systematic CS for this indication. Caesarean section for the second delivery did not protect against anal incontinence in women with asymptomatic obstetric anal sphincter lesions.