I Guideline Information
Editor
Responsible Professional Society
German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie
und Geburtshilfe [DGGG] e. V.)
Head Office of DGGG and Professional Societies
Hausvogteiplatz 12
10117 Berlin
Tel.: + 49 (0) 30-5 14 88 33 40
Fax: + 49 (0) 30-5 14 88 33 44
info@dggg.de
http://www.dggg.de/
President of the DGGG
Prof. Dr. med. Diethelm Wallwiener
Universitätsfrauenklinik Tübingen
Calwerstraße 7
72076 Tübingen
DGGG-Guideline Representative
Prof. Dr. Matthias W. Beckmann
Universitätsklinikum Erlangen-Nürnberg
Frauenklinik
Universitätsstraße 21–23
91054 Erlangen
http://www.frauenklinik.uk-erlangen.de
DGGG-Guideline Secretariat
Dr. Paul Gaß, Tobias Brodkorb, Marion Gebhardt
Universitätsklinikum Erlangen-Nürnberg
Frauenklinik
Universitätsstraße 21–23
91054 Erlangen
Tel.: + 49 (0) 91 31-85/4 40 63 or + 49 (0) 91 31-85/3 35 07
Fax: + 49 (0) 91 31-85/3 39 51
fk-dggg-leitlinien@uk-erlangen.de
http://www.dggg.de/leitlinienstellungnahmen/
Guideline group ([Tables 1 ] to [3 ])
Table 1 Responsible and/or coordinating author.
Author
AWMF Professional Societies
Prof. Dr. Werner Bader
German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie
und Geburtshilfe DGGG), Consortium for Urogynaecology and Plastic Pelvic Floor Reconstruction
(Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie und plastische Beckenbodenrekonstruktion AGUB)
PD Dr. Thomas Aigmüller
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Table 2 Further authors who participated in the guidelines.
Author Mandate holder
DGGG Consortium (AG)/AWMF/non-AWMF-Professional Societies/Organisation/Association
Dr. Katrin Beilecke
German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie
und Geburtshilfe DGGG), Consortium for Urogynaecology and Plastic Pelvic Floor Reconstruction
(Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie und plastische Beckenbodenrekonstruktion AGUB)
Dr. Ksenia Elenskaia
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Prof. Dr. Andrea Frudinger
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Prof. Dr. Engelbert Hanzal
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Prof. Dr. Hanns Helmer
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Dr. Hansjörg Huemer
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Moenie van der Kleyn
Austrian Midwives Committee (Österreichisches Hebammengremium)
Dr. Dieter Kölle
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Dr. Stephan Kropshofer
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Prof. Dr. Johann Pfeifer
Austrian Society for Surgery (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Chirurgie [ÖGC])
Prof. Dr. Christl Reisenauer
German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie
und Geburtshilfe DGGG), Consortium for Urogynaecology and Plastic Pelvic Floor Reconstruction
(Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie und plastische Beckenbodenrekonstruktion AGUB)
Dr. Ayman Tammaa
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Prof. Dr. Karl Tamussino
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Umek
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie AUB)
Table 3 Registered societies and consortiums with mandate holders.
Mandate holder
Societies and working committees
Prof. Dr. rer. medic. Rainhild Schäfers
German Society for Midwife Science (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hebammenwissenschaft)
Prof. Dr. Heiko Franz
Consortium for Materno-Foetal Medicine (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für materno-fetale Medizin
e. V. [AGMFM])
Prof. Dr. Dr. Alexander Teichmann
Consortium for Medical Rights of the DGGG (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medizinrecht der DGGG
[AGMedR])
Prof. Dr. Dietmar Schlembach
Consortium for Hypertension in Pregnancy/Gestosis (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Schwangerschaftshochdruck/Gestose
e. V.)
Prof. Dr. Birgit Seelbach-Göbel
German Society for Prenatal and Neonatal Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pränatal-
und Geburtsmedizin [DGPM])
Prof. Dr. Mathias Löhnert
Surgical Consortium for Coloproctology in Germany (Chirurgische Arbeitsgemeinschaft
Coloproktologie Deutschland [CACP])
Prof. Dr. Mathias Löhnert
German Society for Coloproctology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Koloproktologie [DGK])
PD Dr. Annette Kuhn
Swiss Consortium for Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Pathology (Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft
für Urogynäkologie und Beckenbodenpathologie [AUG])
Dr. Ingrid Haunold
Consortium for Coloproctology in Austria (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Coloproktologie
Österreich [ACP])
Dr. Uwe Lang
Austrian Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Österreichische Gesellschaft für
Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe [OEGGG])
Financing
Financial support was not applied for. The experts were not paid for their work. All
participants are hereby expressly thanked for the contributions.
Citation format
Management of 3rd and 4th Degree Perineal Tears after Vaginal Birth. German Guideline
of the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (AWMF Registry No. 015/079, October
2014). Geburtsh Frauenheilk 2015; 7: 137–144
Guideline documents
The editorially complete, long version of these guidelines as well as a summary of
the conflicts of interest of all the authors can be found on the homepage of AWMF:
http://www.awmf.org/leitlinien/detail/ll/015-079.html .
Abbreviations ([Table 4 ])
Table 4 Abbreviations used.
PT
Perineal Tear
OR
Odds Ratio
II Use of the Guidelines
Problem and aims
The Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für
Urogynäkologie und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie [AUB]) formulated guidelines
for the management of perineal tears (PT) of the 3rd and 4th degree after vaginal
birth for the first time in 2007. The various methods of surgical management had previously
not been summarised systematically although use of inappropriate procedures could
have serious consequences for the patients.
By means of, in particular, recommendations on the diagnostics, therapy and follow-up
in cases of higher degree perineal tears in the course of vaginal births these guidelines
are intended to improve the management of such situations and to reduce their short-
and long-term consequences. The guidelines are intended for midwives, physicians involved
in obstetrics and also those confronted with the management of higher degree perineal
tears.
An update of the Austrian guidelines has now been undertaken in cooperation with the
German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie
und Geburtshilfe DGGG) and, respectively the Consortium for Urogynaecology and Plastic
Pelvic Floor Reconstruction (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie und Plastische
Beckenbodenrekonstruktion [AGUB]).
Addressees
These guidelines are intended for the following target groups:
Background
For the first time in 2007 the AUB Austria commissioned representatives of AUB Austria
as well as coloproctologist colleagues of the ÖGC to prepare evidence- and consensus-based
guidelines. These guidelines were adopted by the Austrian Society for Gynaecology
and Obstetrics (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe [OEGGG]).
The first update was published in 2011, again evidence- and consensus-based, in cooperation
with members of AUB Austria, ÖGC and the Austrian Midwives Committee (Österreichisches
Hebammengremium). This update was again adopted by OEGGG. Furthermore, an English
translation of the guidelines was published after the usual peer review process in
the International Urogynecology Journal (Int Urogynecol J 2013; 24: 553–558).
The recently planned updated guidelines 2014 were again initiated by AUB Austria in
cooperation with members of the AGUB Germany with the aim to produce common German
language guidelines to be positioned as AWMF guidelines.
For literature searches and the preparation of suggestions for correction of the individual
chapters the following colleagues with expert relevant knowledge were assigned as
follows by the guideline coordinator ([Table 5 ]):
Table 5 Chapter topic.
Epidemiology
Tammaa, van der Kleyn
Classification
Umek, Aigmüller
Diagnostics
Elenskaia, Kölle
Postpartum management
Helmer, Pfeifer, Kropshofer, Beilecke, Reisenauer
Measures for postpartum inpatient period
Aigmüller, Frudinger
Follow-up
Frudinger, Tamussino
Recommendations for subsequent births
Huemer, Helmer, Elenskaia
On the basis of the literature searches for the present Austrian guidelines, publications
on the management of higher degree perineal tears in English and German that appeared
between November 2011 and January 2014 were considered. Searches were made in the
databases PubMed and MEDLINE. The secondary literature was also taken into account.
The subject-related coordination was realised each time by means of a round mailing
process. Coordination and formulation of the final version were carried out by Dr.
Thomas Aigmüller as agent and guideline delegate of AUB and Prof. Werner Bader as
agent of AGUB and guideline coordinator.
All authors have declared any conflicts of interest and these are summarised in tabular
form in the Appendix. The conflict of interest declarations were obtained with the
help of a standard AWMF form. The original completed forms have been deposited with
the guideline coordinator. Self-assessments of the details were performed. Members
of the guideline group who had received fees for lecturing activities (item 2 of the
declaration) or financial support for research projects (item 3 of the declaration)
received this support solely from companies that did not produce materials for the
production of suture materials. The same was true for advisor or expert consultant
activities (item 1 of the declaration) and for the possession of business interests,
shares, and stocks with participation in companies in the health-care business (item
5 of the declaration). No participant was excluded from a vote for such a reason.
Period of validity
The validity of these guidelines was confirmed by the board of the DGGG and the DGGG
guideline commission in October 2014. These guidelines have a validity period from
02.10.2014 to 02.10.2017. This period has been estimated on the basis of content connections.
If urgently needed, the guidelines may be updated at an earlier point in time; also
if they are still in compliance with the current states of knowledge, the validity
period may be extended.
1 Epidemiology
Incidence
According to the Austrian Birth Registry 2011, in the course of vaginal deliveries
the frequency of 3rd degree perineal tears was 1.5 % and that of 4th degree tears
0.1 % whereby the incidence of such tears in first-time mothers amounted to 1.8 %
and in multiparous women to 0.9 % [1 ]. In Germany in 2012 the incidences were 0.95 % (3rd degree tears) and 0.09 % (4th
degree tears), data on the incidences for first-time mothers and multiparous women
are not available [2 ].
In contrast, the incidence of lesions of the external or internal anal sphincter muscles
was stated to be 11 % in a systematic review [3 ].
In the past few years in general, an increasing incidence of higher grade perineal
tears has been reported which is mainly due to an improved rate of detection [4 ].
Consecutive complaints include flatus incontinence, pathological stool urgency and,
although less common, also incontinence for liquid or solid faeces. The frequency
of these complaints increases continuously in the years following delivery [5 ], [6 ], [7 ].
Risk factors
In descending order of importance, in parentheses the odds ratio (OR) according to
refs. [8 ], [9 ], [10 ], [11 ], [12 ], [13 ], [14 ], [15 ], [16 ], [71 ]:
birth weight > 4 kg (OR: 5.0; increasing with increasing birth weight of the baby)
forceps (OR: 2.6–3.7)
median episiotomy (OR: 2.4–2.9)
nulliparous (OR: 2.4)
shoulder dystocia (OR: 2.0)
delivery in lithotomy or deep squatting position (OR: 2.0)
Kristellerʼs manoeuvre/fundal pressure (OR: 1.8)
vacuum extraction (OR: 1.7–2.6)
prolonged second stage of labor:
nulliparous without epidural anaesthesia, second stage of labor > 2 h (OR 1.78)
nulliparous with epidural anaesthesia, second stage of labor > 3 h (OR 1.80)
multiparous without epidural anaesthesia, second stage of labor > 1 h (OR 3.2)
multiparous with epidural anaesthesia, second stage of labor > 2 h (OR 3.85)
family risk – sister or mother with 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears (OR 1.7 or, respectively,
1.9)
occipitoposterior position (OR: 1.7)
male baby (OR 1.3)
Risk reducing factors
lateral episiotomy in vacuum extraction (OR 0.6) [17 ], [18 ]
women with nicotine abuse have a lower risk for a higher degree perineal tear (OR
0.72 at the first birth) [20 ]
The following obstetric measures are neither prophylactic nor do they increase the
risk for higher degree perineal tears [8 ], [11 ], [21 ], [22 ], [23 ], [24 ], [25 ]:
The following obstetric factors/measures cannot be conclusively evaluated on account
of inadequate or contradictory data:
peridural anaesthesia [11 ], [15 ], [17 ], [26 ], [73 ]
“Hands on” on the perineum [74 ], [75 ]
perineal subpartal moist compression [23 ]
maternal obesity [19 ], [17 ], [72 ]
induction of labour [3 ], [17 ], [76 ]
The evidence for episiotomy as a prophylaxis against higher degree perineal tears
is divergent [8 ], [26 ], [27 ]. Median episiotomy is consistently associated with an increased risk for higher
degree perineal tears. Mediolateral episiotomy should be used restrictively [28 ], [29 ].
2 Classification
A higher degree perineal tear is present when at least the external anal sphincter
muscle is injured [30 ]:
3rd degree perineal tear: anal sphincter injured, anorectal epithelium intact
4th degree perineal tear: sphincter injured, anorectal epithelium torn
The following subdivision of 3rd degree perineal tears can be useful [31 ]:
IIIa … less than 50 % of the thickness of the external anal sphincter muscle torn
IIIb … more than 50 % of the thickness of the external anal sphincter muscle torn
IIIc … external and internal anal sphincter muscles torn
Since the internal anal sphincter plays an important part in the continence mechanism
attempts should be made to identify it in cases of extensive injuries [32 ], [33 ].
A special form of higher degree perineal tear is a laceration of the anorectal epithelium
with intact external anal sphincter muscle (“buttonhole tear”). This is very rare
but, when not treated, carries the risk of a rectovaginal fistula and can be diagnosed
by anal palpation in the postpartum period [34 ], [35 ], [36 ]. In cases with laceration of the anal skin and intact external anal sphincter muscle,
there is an increased probability of injury to the internal anal sphincter. Conclusive
clarification of this type of defect is only possible by surgery or endosonography
[77 ], [78 ].
3 Diagnostics
After vaginal birth a 3rd or 4th degree perineal tear must first be excluded by careful
inspection and/or palpation by the obstetrician and/or midwife. Not only vaginal but
also anorectal palpation for the assessment of birth injuries is extremely important.
In cases of at least a 2nd degree perineal tear both vaginal and rectal palpations
are recommended to assess the extent of the injury.
If a 3rd or 4th degree perineal tear cannot be excluded, an experienced physician
with special knowledge (preferably a specialist for gynaecology and obstetrics or
a consultant with coloproctological expertise) should be called in to check the diagnosis,
and, if necessary, to make a provisional, orienting classification (3rd or 4th degree)
and initiate the further steps.
4 Postpartum management
Preparation
Management of 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears requires general or regional anaesthesia
in order to achieve a maximal sphincter relaxation and a sufficient pain relief. The
procedure is done under aseptic conditions in an operating room or equivalent facility
with assistants, appropriate instruments and equipment. The patient is placed in the
lithotomy position. The operating team should include a specialist with adequate experience
[37 ]. The number of previous operations, however, does not seem to be relevant with regard
to the avoidance of anal incontinence [38 ].
In exceptional cases the operation may be delayed for up to 12 hours post-partum [39 ].
With the exception of emergency situations an adequate and documented preoperative
informed consent is essential.
A preoperative prophylactic antibiotic therapy (e.g., with 2nd generation cephalosporins)
should be administered [40 ].
Surgical strategy
Identification of additional birth injuries and exact classification of the perineal
tear by means of speculum inspection and digital rectal examination.
If necessary first management of cervical and high vaginal tears (from the top down),
and then management of the perineal tear.
For 4th degree tears: repair anorectal epithelium with atraumatic, 3–0, end-to-end
sutures [41 ], [42 ].
If the edges of the torn internal anal sphincter can be identified approximate the
edges with atraumatic interrupted mattress sutures, preferably 3–0 [42 ], [43 ].
Identification of the edges of the external anal sphincter muscle and gripping them
with Allis clamps.
Suture of the external anal sphincter muscle with atraumatic U sutures – preferably
with thread size 2–0. There is a choice between two methods: the overlapping technique
and the end-to-end technique [46 ], [47 ], [48 ]. For an incomplete tear of the muscle, the end-to-end technique should be used [38 ], [44 ]. Use of the overlapping technique reduces the symptoms of stool urgency and stool
incontinence after 1 year whereas, after 3 years, no differences between the two techniques
can be found [45 ]. There are hints that the rate of flatulence is reduced with the end-to-end technique
[44 ]. A conclusive recommendation for one method or the other cannot be given. The surgeon
should choose that method with which he/she has more experience.
Layer-by-layer management of the perineum.
Documentation of birth injuries and surgical report.
For items III–VI atraumatic, slowly resorbable suture material should be used. The
choice between braided and monofilament material is left to the surgeonʼs individual
preference [43 ], [46 ], [47 ], [48 ].
A prophylactic bowel stoma is not indicated [49 ], [50 ] ([Figs. 1 ] to [3 ]).
Fig. 1 Starting situation.
Fig. 2 a and b Overlapping technique.
Fig. 3 a and b End-to-end technique.
5 Puerperium
Antibiotics
There is no evidence for the postoperative prophylactic administration of antibiotics.
Because of the contaminated wound situation as well as the possibly severe consequences
of a wound infection (through to a necessary bowel stoma), the authors of the guidelines
consensually recommend the prophylactic administration of antibiotics [31 ].
Laxatives
The prophylactic administration of lactulose reduces the pain on first bowel movements
after management of a higher degree perineal tear. Postoperative pain, rate of wound
infections, continence and dyspareunia are not affected by the administration of laxatives.
Furthermore, administration of laxatives for a few days is recommended in order to
reduce the mechanical stress on the sutures [51 ].
In cases with uncomplicated healing processes, rectal examinations should be omitted
[43 ].
The rate of wound complications after 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears (wound infection,
dehiscence, reoperation, readmission to hospital) amounts to 7.3 %, whereby smoking
and a higher BMI represent independent risk factors [52 ].
The patients should be informed about the extent of birth injuries and possible late
sequelae. Information about follow-up, behavioural actions and contact details in
case of problems should be given.
6 Follow-up
A gynaecological follow-up examination should be scheduled at about 3 months post-partum.
This follow-up examination should at least include the following items:
history of symptoms of anal incontinence [46 ], [48 ], [53 ], [54 ], [55 ], [56 ]
flatus incontinence (up to 50 %)
defaecatory urgency (26 %)
incontinence for liquid stool (8 %)
incontinence for solid stool (4 %)
inspection of the perineum
vaginal and rectal palpation
Referral to physiotherapy for the purpose of strengthening the pelvic floor musculature.
Early biofeedback-supported physiotherapy has no advantage over classical pelvic floor
training [57 ]. For anal incontinence, the so-called triple-target therapy (combination of amplitude-modulated
medium frequency stimulation and electromyographic biofeedback) is superior to a standard
stimulation therapy with electromyographic biofeedback [58 ].
Information about a possibly long latency onset/worsening of the symptoms of anal
incontinence [59 ], [60 ].
discussion regarding subsequent pregnancies and births
In cases of anal incontinence, referral of the patient to a centre with the appropriate
expertise (anal endosonography, conservative as well as surgical therapeutic options)
is recommended.
7 Recommendations for subsequent deliveries
The available data do not allow any recommendations as to the birth mode for future
pregnancies. The patient should be informed that in a subsequent vaginal birth the
risk for a renewed injury to the anal sphincter muscles can be, depending on the data
source, non-existent [38 ], [44 ], [45 ] or up to 7-fold increased [61 ], [62 ], [63 ], [64 ], [65 ]; however, more than 95 % of the women do not suffer from a further higher degree
perineal tear [63 ], [66 ]. In addition, the risk increases with increasing birth weight of the baby [61 ], [62 ], [63 ], [64 ], [65 ], [66 ]. Similarly it has been shown for the vaginal birth mode after 3rd/4th degree perineal
tears that the short-term risk for persisting anal incontinence is increased [67 ], [68 ]. In long-term studies over a period of 5 or more years this difference is no longer
apparent [69 ], [70 ].
An elective Caesarean section should be offered to all women who have previously suffered
from 3rd/4th degree perineal tears, and especially to those patients with
persisting fecal incontinence,
reduced sphincter function or
suspected fetal macrosomia.
Also for vaginal births in patients with prior 3rd/4th degree perineal tears, an episiotomy
should be used restrictively [66 ].
The “guidelines” of the Scientific Medical Professional Societies (Wissenschaftliche
Medizinische Fachgesellschaften) are systematically developed aids for the physician
in decision-making for specific situations. They are based on current scientific knowledge
and practically established procedures and thus serve to provide more safety in medicine
while also taking economic aspects into consideration. The “guidelines” are not legally
binding for physicians and thus provide neither a basis for liability claims nor for
a freedom from liability. The AWMF compiles and publishes the guidelines of the professional
societies with the greatest possible care – even so the AWMF cannot accept any responsibility
for the correctness of the contents. Especially in the case of dosages, the details
provided by the respective manufacturer should always be consulted!
© German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie
und Geburtshilfe)
Authorised for electronic publication: AWMF online
Homepage
http://www.awmf.org/leitlinien/detail/ll/015-079.html
Date of publication
02.10.2014
Next assessment planned
02.10.2017
Declarations of conflicts of interest
available on the AWMF homepage under: http://www.awmf.org/leitlinien/detail/ll/015-079.html
Participating professional societies and organisations:
German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie
und Geburtshilfe [DGGG] e. V.) (responsible)
Scientific and Medical Professional Societies (Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften
e. V. [AWMF])
Consortium for Urogynaecology and Plastic Pelvic Floor Reconstruction (Arbeitsgemeinschaft
für Urogynäkologie und plastische Beckenbodenrekonstruktion AGUB)
Austrian Urogynecology Working Group (Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Urogynäkologie
und Rekonstruktive Beckenbodenchirurgie [AUB])
German Society for Midwife Science (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hebammenwissenschaft)
Consortium for Materno-Foetal Medicine (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für materno-fetale Medizin
e. V. [AGMFM])
Consortium for Medical Rights of the DGGG (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medizinrecht der DGGG
[AGMedR])
Consortium for Hypetension in Pregnancy/Gestosis (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Schwangerschaftshochdruck/Gestose
e. V.)
German Society for Prenatal and Neonatal Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pränatal-
und Geburtsmedizin]
Surgical Consortium for Coloproctology in Germany (Chirurgische Arbeitsgemeinschaft
Coloproktologie Deutschland [CACP])
German Society for Coloproctology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Koloproktologie [DGK])
Swiss Consortium for Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Pathology (Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft
für Urogynäkologie und Beckenbodenpathologie [AUG])
Consortium for Coloproctology in Austria (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Coloproktologie
Österreich [ACP])
Austrian Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Österreichische Gesellschaft für
Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe [OEGGG])