A research study by Medical Specialist Group consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Kalaivani Ramalingam and medical student, Rhea Mittal, has been presented at the International Urogynaecology Conference in the Hague.
The research compared the incidence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (severe tears) during childbirth and finds that it is consistently and significantly lower in Guernsey than in the UK. It occurred in fewer than 1% of all deliveries each year over the past four years, whereas in the UK the incidence varied between 2.3 and 2.48% over the same four-year period.
The observational research study was carried out by Dr Ramalingam and a Cambridge medical student Rhea Mittal (pictured) during her medical elective attachment with the MSG.
Dr Ramalingam presented a poster describing the research at the conference which took place between 21st and 24th June. The poster highlighted that there is dedicated annual training in Guernsey for midwives in detecting obstetric anal sphincter injuries and that all obstetric care is delivered by consultants.
Rhea said: “I had a great experience doing my elective with the MSG. In addition to clinical opportunities, it was fantastic to have the chance to get involved in a research project in obstetrics and gynaecology. I learnt a lot about an interesting area of urogynaeocology – obstetric anal sphincter injuries – and the incidence in different units. I gained experience in conducting a retrospective study and writing up the project for presentation at an international conference.”
