Non-obstetric vaginal trauma

Abstract

Objective: To describe the mechanism, injury pattern and management of women who present to the Emer-gency Department with non-obstetric vaginal trauma. Methods: A retrospective, single institution case se-ries was carried out. Data was sourced from medical records of women who presented to the Emergency Department and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hos-pital between 2007 and 2011. Records of possible in-juries to the vagina were assessed to determine inci-dence, 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. Inju-ries 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 re-suscitation. Site of injury was most common high in the vagina. Conclusion: Non-obstetric vaginal injuries are uncommon (incidence 2.1%). All cases require as-sessment 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 psy-chological problems.