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Am J Perinatol 2022; 39(07): 750-758
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1717099
Original Article

Is there an Association between Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Prediction and Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury?

Oluwateniola Brown 
1   Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Douglas Luchristt
1   Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Emily S. Miller
2   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Mahati Pidaparti
3   Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
,
Julia Geynisman-Tan
1   Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Kimberly Kenton
1   Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Christina Lewicky-Gaupp
1   Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
› Author Affiliations Funding The research reported in this publication was supported, in part, by the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (grant number: UL1TR001422). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to estimate whether there is an association between the predicted probability of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) and the occurrence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS).

Study Design This was a single-site retrospective cohort study of all women with a singleton vaginal birth after a previous cesarean section between January 2011 and December 2016. Women were divided into four ordinal groupings by the predicted probability of achieving vaginal birth after cesarean using the Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units Network VBAC calculator (less than 41%, 40.1–60%, 60.1–80%, and greater than 80%). The primary outcome was OASIS, defined as a 3rd or 4th degree perineal laceration. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were used to examine the association between predicted VBAC probability and OASIS.

Results In total, 1,411 women met inclusion criteria and 73 (5.2%) sustained OASIS. The median predicted probability of VBAC was lower in women with OASIS compared with those without OASIS (60% [interquartile range {IQR}: 48–70%] vs. 66% (IQR: 52–80%), p = 0.02]. On bivariable and multivariable logistic regression, predicted probability of VBAC was associated with increased odds of OASIS (less than 41% probability: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90–11.21; 41–60% probability: aOR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.34–10.57; 61–80% probability aOR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.25–9.69) relative to women with a predicted probability of VBAC of greater than 80%.

Conclusion Having a lower predicted probability of VBAC is associated with an increased risk of OASIS at the time of a VBAC relative to those with greater than 80% predicted probability. Incorporation of this aspect of maternal morbidity may inform risk-stratification at the time of trial of labor after cesarean, as well as the choice of performing an operative vaginal delivery.

Key Points

  • Predicted probability of VBAC is associated with OASIS.

  • Low predicted probability of VBAC is associated with increased odds of OASIS.

  • Forceps delivery was associated with the highest odds of OASIS.

Keywords

OASIS - VBAC - trial of labor

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 09 May 2020

Accepted: 12 August 2020

Article published online:
29 September 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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