Ultrasound imaging of the contraction of the anal sphincter in different periods of pregnancy

Abstract

Objective To observe the difference of ultrasound images of the pelvic floor in pregnant women, and to investigate the status of the contraction of the anal sphincter in different pregnancy periods. Methods From June 2015 to March 2016, 158 women who were pregnant and qualified in hospital were selected as research subjects. According to the different period of pregnancy, 158 pregnant women were divided into three groups: early pregnancy, mid pregnancy and late pregnancy. they were measured at rest and levatorani muscle contraction under 3D imaging of levatorani muscle crack pore area and length, bladder neck position and sagittal imperforate anus levator muscle splitting hole horizontal angle, calculation of the levatorani muscle contraction movement caused by pelvic floor structure change were measured. Results There was no significant difference in the length of the anal sphincter, the horizontal angle or the crack area between the four groups in rest(P>0.05). In the anal contraction state, differences of pregnancy women with healthy group of women in the anus levator muscle splitting hole length, horizontal angle and crack hole area during different periods were significant (P<0.05); in the three groups of pregnant subjects, the differences of middle and early pregnancy group in the above three aspects were significant (P<0.05); difference of pregnancy group of late and middle pregnancy in the above three aspects were significant (P<0.05). There had significant difference in the proportion of the area of the anal sphincter of the healthy group in the late period of pregnancy (P<0.05). The differences of anus provided muscle hiatus length change, horizontal angle change volume and bladder neck mobility degree among women in different periods of pregnancy and group of health women were significant (P<0.05); in the above three aspects, middle and early pregnancy in the three groups of pregnant subjects had significant differences (P<0.05); the above three aspects of late and middle pregnancy were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions In different gestation period, the change of the contraction function of the anal sphincter muscle is different, the late pregnancy can significantly reduce the contractile function of the anal sphincter, so the pregnant women are suggested to strengthen the functional exercise of the anal sphincter during pregnancy, and prevent the disease of pelvic floor dysfunction. Key words: Pregnancy; Anal sphincter; Contractile function