The Effect of Perineal Wound Infection on the Anal Sphincter

"Three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound is the gold standard diagnostic tool in the assessment of obstetric anal sphincter injury. The anorectal transducer is inserted directly into the anal canal which allows assessment of the anal sphincter complex.~Patients will be assessed at weekly intervals with until the wound infection has resolved and the wound has clinically healed."

"If endoanal ultrasound is declined or not tolerated, the anal sphincter will also be assessed using three-/four-dimensional (3D/4D) transperineal ultrasound with the probe placed externally on the area of the fourchette.~Patients will be assessed at weekly intervals with until the wound infection has resolved and the wound has clinically healed."

"The bacterial load of the perineal wound will be measured every week using the MolecuLight i:X. This is a system, which uses fluorescent illumination to capture and document the presence of bacteria.~Patients will be assessed at weekly intervals with until the wound infection has resolved and the wound has clinically healed.~These findings will be supported by microbiological analysis of the wound fluid with swab culture and sensitivity."

For wound that have superficially dehisced, the wound surface area, depth, volume and healing progress will be precisely measured using the Silhouette® 3D camera. This is a system that uses 3D laser technology to track wound healing progression.