Introduction
Nonobstetrical genital
injuries are gradually becoming a common cause of genital injuries. Consensual
sex has been reported to be a possible cause of this type of injuries, but its
contribution to traumatic lesions of the female genital tract is not well
known. It has been suggested that injury consecutive to consensual sex can be
extensive and life‐threatening.
Aim
The aim of this study
was to analyze the clinical features, treatment modalities, and the outcome of
injuries to the female genital tract consecutive to a consensual sexual
intercourse.
Methods
A retrospective review
of records of female patients admitted in our institution with a complaint of
genital injury over a 5‐year period. We collected data regarding patient and injury
characteristics, findings of the gynecologic examination, modalities of
management and final outcome.
Main Outcome Measures
Anatomic location and
nature of injury, modalities of management, admission rate and mortality rate.
Results
Forty six cases could be
analyzed. Their mean age was 25.6 years. Almost 35% of patients sustained the
injury during their first sexual contact. The majority presented with bleeding,
often combined with pain. One patient presented with features of peritonitis.
During examination, no anatomic lesions could be identified in 16 (34.8%) of
patients. When a lesion was present, it concerned mostly the posterior fornix
(28.3%) and the lateral vaginal wall (10%). The most frequently described
lesion was a laceration. The majority of patients (83%) were treated with
suturing under local anesthesia. The admission rate was 28%, and was
significantly higher in patients with a laceration of the posterior fornix. No
death was recorded.
Conclusions
Coital injuries
following consensual sex often present in the form of a life‐threatening condition and young
female with no previous sexual experience are particularly exposed. Most
lesions can be treated with a simple suture.
Clinical characteristics recorded in patients with a coital injury in Limbe Regional Hospital
| Clinical characteristic | Number | Percentage |
|---|
| Period of abstinence | | |
| Never had sex before | 16 | 34.8 |
| Less than 1 month | 13 | 28.2 |
| 1–6 months | 4 | 8.7 |
| More than 6 months | 7 | 15.3 |
| Unknown | 6 | 13.0 |
| Main complaint | | |
| Genital pain | 39 | 84.8 |
| Bleeding | 31 | 67.4 |
| Lower abdominal pain | 18 | 39.1 |
| Other | 7 | 15.2 |
| Anatomic location of lesion | | |
| Posterior fornix | 13 | 28.3 |
| Lateral vaginal wall | 5 | 10.9 |
| Labia minora | 3 | 6.5 |
| Clitoris | 2 | 4.3 |
| Perineum | 2 | 4.3 |
| Posterior fourchette | 1 | 2.2 |
| Multiple | 4 | 8.7 |
| No identifiable lesion | 16 | 34.8 |
1Faculty of Health Sciences, University of
Buea and Regional Hospital Limbe, Limbe, Cameroon
Corresponding author.
*Corresponding Author: Alain Chichom‐Mefire, MD, Genral
Surgeon, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea and Regional Hospital
Limbe, P.O. Box 25526, Yaounde, Cameroon. Tel: +237 677 530 532; Fax: +237 677
530 532; E‐mail: moc.liamg@erifemohcihc
