Training delivery room staff to reduce postpartum anal incontinence
Impact on Postpartum Anal Incontinence of an Educational Program for Delivery Room Staff on the Diagnosis and Repair of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries
This project will try training delivery room staff at Strasbourg University Hospital to see if better diagnosis and repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries lowers postpartum anal incontinence in women who give birth vaginally.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Strasbourg, France Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Strasbourg) |
| Trial ID | NCT07336017 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational before-and-after program that provides continuing-education training to delivery room staff on diagnosis and surgical repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries. The study compares women with singleton, live vaginal births at Strasbourg University Hospital in the three months before and the three months after the staff training. Primary outcomes include detection rates of sphincter injuries, quality of repair, short- and medium-term complications, and the incidence of postpartum anal incontinence. Data are collected from clinical records and routine follow-up without introducing experimental clinical interventions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult women (≥18 years) with a singleton live vaginal birth at Strasbourg University Hospital within the three-month windows before or after the delivery-room staff training.
Not a fit: Women who deliver by cesarean section, have multiple pregnancies, fetal death, medical termination of pregnancy, or who deliver outside CHU Strasbourg are not expected to benefit from this staff-training program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the training could reduce the number of women who develop postpartum anal incontinence by improving detection and repair of sphincter injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational and educational interventions have reported improved detection and repair rates after staff training, though high-quality randomized evidence that these programs reduce long-term anal incontinence is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult women (≥18 years old) * who gave birth vaginally at Strasbourg University Hospital in the 3 months prior to and 3 months following the training of delivery room staff at both maternity wards * Singleton pregnancy * Live birth Exclusion Criteria: * Multiple pregnancy * Fetal death in utero * Medical termination of pregnancy * Delivery by cesarean section.
Where this trial is running
Strasbourg
- Service de Gynécologique et d'Obstétrique - CHU de Strasbourg - France — Strasbourg, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Lise LECOINTRE, MD
- Email: lise.lecointre@chu-strasbourg.fr
- Phone: 33 3 88 12 74 7
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.