TITLE:
Non-obstetric vaginal trauma
AUTHORS:
Ian S. C. Jones, Alan O’Connor
KEYWORDS:
Non-Obstetric; Vaginal, Trauma; Diagnosis; Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.3 No.1,
January
11,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective: To describe the
mechanism, injury pattern and management of women who present to the Emergency
Department with non-obstetric vaginal trauma. Methods: A retrospective, single
institution case series was carried out. Data was sourced from medical records
of women who presented to the Emergency Department and Royal Brisbane and
Women’s Hospital between 2007 and 2011. Records of possible injuries to the
vagina were assessed to determine incidence, age, site, type of injury, mechanism
of injury and whether urinary retention required treatment. Results: Vaginal
non-obstetric trauma was found in 11 of 519 cases resulting in lacerations or
tears. Injuries were due to consensual coitus, other forms of sexual activity
and self harm. Acute urinary retention did not occur in any case but two cases
required resuscitation. Site of injury was most common high in the vagina.
Conclusion: Non-obstetric vaginal injuries are uncommon (incidence 2.1%). All
cases require assessment for vulvar, vaginal, urethral, anal and bony pelvis
injuries. This may require examination under anaesthesia. Social worker and
psychological support is important to reduce the incidence of long-term psychological
problems.