Use of Three-dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound for Anal Sphincter Evaluation Evaluating New 3D/4D Techniques During Pregnancy and Postpartum

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating new 3D and 4D ultrasound volume analysis techniques to assess the integrity and thickness of the anal sphincter during pregnancy and immediately after childbirth. This study focuses on Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASIS), which can negatively affect women's quality of life, and aims to improve diagnosis and management of these injuries through advanced imaging methods. The study explores how these new volumetric ultrasound methods, including curvilinear reconstruction and contrast enhancement, can help better understand pelvic floor anatomy and lesion detection. The study uses novel ultrasound techniques conducted offline on volumes obtained during routine prenatal and postpartum visits. Multiple operators will independently analyze these images without knowing the patient's history or other measurements to reduce bias. Operators performing multiple measurements will space them at least one month apart. There are no additional visits or treatments required beyond standard clinical care. Participants will undergo routine ultrasound assessments during pregnancy and postpartum, and researchers will evaluate the reproducibility of these imaging techniques by comparing measures taken by different operators. They will also examine the relationship between anal sphincter thickness, ultrasound integrity, and postpartum symptoms. Outcomes include statistical measures of agreement between operators and the spread of measurement differences. The total participation duration corresponds to the standard prenatal and postpartum care timeline, up to 40 weeks of gestation.

Use of Three-dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound for Anal Sphincter Evaluation