Impact of mode of delivery on levator morphology: A 3D ultrasound evaluation early in postpartum

Purpose: to evaluate morphology and integrity of levator ani muscle (LAM) with 3D ultrasound soon after vaginal delivery and cesarean section of primiparous women. Patients and methods: primiparous patients delivered at our department between January-June 2009 were included in this prospective observational cohort study. 3D perineal ultrasound was performed between 48–72 hours postpartum. Axial plane at level of minimal hiatal dimension was utilized to determine antero-posterior (hAP), latero-lateral (hLL) diameter, area (hA), circumference (hC) of levator hiatus and LAM thickness; tomografic multislice ultrasou…