Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39821371›Full record

SynthesisInternational urogynecology journal2025

The Association Between Levator Ani Integrity and Postpartum Ano-Rectal Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.

Adéla Samešová, Rafaël Kiebooms, Laura Cattani, Bram Packet, Helena Williams, Lucie Hájková Hympánová, Ladislav Krofta, Jan Deprest

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International urogynecology journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Adéla SamešováDepartment Development and Regeneration, Cluster Urogenital, Abdominal and Plastic Surgery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID 0000-0003-0969-5761
Rafaël KieboomsDepartment Development and Regeneration, Cluster Urogenital, Abdominal and Plastic Surgery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID 0000-0003-1525-9667
Laura CattaniDepartment Development and Regeneration, Cluster Urogenital, Abdominal and Plastic Surgery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID 0000-0001-5232-3619
Bram PacketDepartment Development and Regeneration, Cluster Urogenital, Abdominal and Plastic Surgery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID 0000-0003-0892-1931
Helena WilliamsDepartment Development and Regeneration, Cluster Urogenital, Abdominal and Plastic Surgery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID 0000-0002-7970-0290
Lucie Hájková HympánováThe Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic.ORCID 0000-0002-9002-9231
Ladislav KroftaThe Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic.ORCID 0000-0001-7372-3953
Jan DeprestDepartment Development and Regeneration, Cluster Urogenital, Abdominal and Plastic Surgery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. jan.deprest@uzleuven.be.ORCID 0000-0002-4920-945X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introduction and hypothesisPregnancy and delivery are commonly associated with ano-rectal dysfunction. In addition, vaginal delivery may impact both the structure and functionality of the pelvic floor. Herein, we systematically reviewed the literature for the potential association between levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion and ano-rectal function after childbirth.

methodsWe systematically searched the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, CENTRAL (Cochrane), Clinicaltrials.gov, and ICTRP databases from inception. We selected studies reporting on the anatomy of the LAM and ano-rectal function within 24 months after childbirth, the former determined by imaging and the latter measured through validated questionnaires or ano-rectal manometry. Meta-analyses were used to pool data from studies reporting on the association between LAM avulsion and ano-rectal function, with subgroup analysis according to the presence or absence of anal sphincter trauma. Summary odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) are reported with 95% confidence intervals.

resultsFrom the 7,621 studies identified, 11 were included, reporting on 2,146 women. Ten studies used transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and one study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for LAM assessment. Ano-rectal function was assessed through validated questionnaires in all but one study, in which ano-rectal manometry was used. There was no evidence for an association between LAM avulsion and symptoms of incontinence (OR 1.75 [0.74, 4.12]; MD 0.13 [-0.58, 0.85]), including in the subgroup of patients with concomitant anal sphincter injury (OR 1.83 [0.71, 4.71]).

conclusionsWe did not identify an association between LAM avulsion and ano-rectal dysfunction following vaginal childbirth.

Indexed as

Anal CanalDelivery, ObstetricPelvic FloorRectal DiseasesFecal IncontinenceFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingManometryPostpartum PeriodPregnancyAnal dysfunctionChildbirthLevator ani musclePelvic floor ultrasoundPostpartumPuborectalis muscle

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.