Rectal injury following delivery as a possible consequence of endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum
2014
Abstract
Obstetric rectal injuries generally result from tears extending from the perineal body to the region of the anal sphincter muscles and the wall of the rectum. Commonly regarded as a fourth-degree perineal injury, they occur in 0.4% of deliveries, often as a complication of forceps deliveries [1].
An isolated perforation of the rectum with an intact perineum is an extremely rare situation because the injury develops from the opposing direction owing to excessive dilation of the rectovaginal septum caused by passage of the infant's head.