| 1. | Alexander AA, Liu JB, Merton DA, Nagle DA: Fecal incontinence: transvaginal US evaluation of anatomic causes. Radiology 1996; 199: 529–532. MEDLINE |
| 2. | Al-Mufti R, McCarthy A, Fisk NM: Obstetricians‘ choice and mode of delivery. Lancet 1996; 347: 544. MEDLINE |
| 3. | Argentine Episiotomy Trial Collaborative Group: Routine vs selective episiotomy: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 1993; 342: 1517–1518. MEDLINE |
| 4. | Buekens P, Lagasse R, Dramaix M, Wollast E: Episiotomy and third-degree tears. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1985; 92: 820–823. MEDLINE |
| 5. | Carroli G, Belizan J, Stamp G: Episiotomy for vaginal birth. Cochrane Library, Issue 1. Oxford: Update Software 2001. MEDLINE |
| 6. | Chaliah C, Stanton SL, Sultan AH: Antenatal prediction of postpartum urinary and fecal incontinence. Obstet Gynecol 1999; 94: 689–694. MEDLINE |
| 7. | Cook TA, Mortensen NJ: Management of faecal incontinence following obstetric injury. Br J Surg 1998; 85: 293–299. MEDLINE |
| 8. | Deen KI, Williams JG, Olliff J, Keighley MRB: The prevalence of anal sphincter defects in faecal incontinence: a prospective endosonic study. Gut 1993; 34: 685–688. MEDLINE |
| 9. | DeLancey JO, Toglia, MR, Perucchini D: Internal and external anal sphincter anatomy as is relates to midline obstetric lacerations. Obstet Gynecol 1997; 90: 24–27. MEDLINE |
| 10. | DeLee JB: The prophylactic forceps operation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1920; 1: 34. |
| 11. | Donnelly V, Campbell D, Jophnson H, O’Herlihy C, O’Connell PR: The effects of instrumental delivery and third degree tear on anal sphincter function in primiparas. Sydney: International Continence Society 1995; Abstract: 95. |
| 12. | Dudenhausen JW, Rumler-Detzel P: Die Schnittentbindung auf Wunsch der Schwangeren – permissive Geburtshilfe oder akzeptabel als selbstbestimmte Geburt? Z Geburtsh Neonatol 2000; 204: 125–127. MEDLINE |
| 13. | Eason E, Feldman P: Much ado about a little cut: is episiotomy worthwile? Obstet Gynecol 2000; 95: 616–618. MEDLINE |
| 14. | Eason E, Labrecque M, Wells G, Feldman P: Preventing perineal trauma during childbirth: a systematic review. Obstet Gynecol 2000; 95: 464–471. MEDLINE |
| 15. | Engel AF, Kamm MA, Bartram CI, Nicholls RJ: Relationship of symptoms in faecal incontinence to specific sphincter abnormalities. Int J Colorectal Dis 1995; 10: 152–155. MEDLINE |
| 16. | Faltin D, Boulvain M, Irion O, Bretones S, Stan C, Weil A: Diagnosis of anal sphincter tears by postpartum endosonography to predict fecal incontinence. Obstet Gynecol 2000; 95: 643–647. MEDLINE |
| 17. | Faridi A, Rath W: Anal incontinence after vaginal delivery: a prospective study in primiparous women. Br J Obstet Gynecol 1999; 106: 1107. MEDLINE |
| 18. | Faridi A, Willis S, Schelzig P, Schumpelick V, Rath W: Occult sphincter defects due to childbirth: a prospective study. Eur J Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Biol 2000; 91: 19. |
| 19. | Faridi A, Willis St, Schelzig P, Karasu T, Schumpelick V, Rath W: Auswirkungen von Schwangerschaft und Geburt auf die Morphologie und Funktion des anorektalen Kontinenzorgans. Gynakol Geburtshilfliche Rundsch 1999; 39: 109. |
| 20. | Gaisbauer G: Der Dammschnitt im Spiegel der Rechtssprechung. Frauenarzt 1991; 32: 509. |
| 21. | Geissbühler V, Eberhard J: Waterbirths: a comparative study. Fetal Diagn Ther 2000; 15: 291–300. MEDLINE |
| 22. | Glosemeyer H, Stockhausen H: Mediolaterale Episiotomie oder mediane Episiotomie? Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 1978; 38: 34–37. MEDLINE |
| 23. | Gupta JK, Nikodem VC: Women’s position during second stage of labour (Cochrane review). Cochrane Library, Issue 1. Oxford: Update Software 2001. |
| 24. | Hillebrenner J, Wagenpfeil S, Schuchardt R, Schelling M, Schneider KT: Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2001; 205: 12–19. MEDLINE |
| 25. | Hirsch HA: Episiotomie und Dammriss. Stuttgart: Thieme 1989. |
| 26. | Hirsch HA: Episiotomie und ihre Komplikationen. Z Geburtsh Neonatol 1997; 201: 55-62. MEDLINE |
| 27. | Hodnett ED: Continuity of caregivers for care during pregnancy and childbirth (Cochrane review). Cochrane Library, Issue 1. Oxford: Update Software 2001. |
| 28. | Husslein P, Langner M: Elektive Sektio vs. vaginale Geburt – ein Paradigmenwechsel in der Geburtshilfe. Gynäkologe 2000; 33: 849–856. |
| 29. | Johanson RB, Menon BKV: Vaccum extraction versus forceps for assisted vaginal delivery (Cochrane review). Cochrane Library, Issue 3. Oxford: Update Software 2000. |
| 30. | Kamm A: Fortnightly review: Faecal incontinence. BMJ 1998; 31: 528–532. |
| 31. | Kammerer-Doak DN, Wesol AB, Rogers AG, Dominguez CE, Dorin MH: A prospective cohort study of women after primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter laceration. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999; 181: 1317–1323. MEDLINE |
| 32. | Karoui S, Savoye-Collet C, Koning E, Leroi AM, Denis P: Prevalence of anal sphincter defects revealed by sonography in 335 incontinent patients and 115 continent patients. AJR 1999; 173: 389–392. MEDLINE |
| 33. | Klein MC, Gauthier RJ, Robbins JM et al.: Relationship of episiotomie to perineal trauma and morbidity, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic floor relaxation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1994; 171: 591–598. MEDLINE |
| 34. | Klein MC, Jorgensen SH, Robbins JM et al.: Does episiotomy prevent perineal trauma and pelvicfloor relaxation? Online J Curr Clin Trials 1992; 10. MEDLINE |
| 35. | Kraemer M, Sailer M, Fuchs KH, Thiede A: Ätiologie und Epidemiologie der analen Inkontinenz. Zentralbl Chir 1996; 121: 624–631. MEDLINE |
| 36. | Labrecque M, Eason E, Marcoux S: Randomized trial of perineal massage during pregnancy: Perineal symptoms three months after delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000; 182: 76–80. MEDLINE |
| 37. | Larsson PG, Platz-Christensen JJ, Bergman B, Wallstersson G: Advantage or disadvantage of episiotomy compared with spontaneous perineal laceration. Gynecol Obstet Invest 1991; 31: 213–216. MEDLINE |
| 38. | Lilford RJ, van Coeverden de Groot HA, Moore PJ, Bingham P: The relative risks of caesarean section (intrapartum and elective) and vaginal delivery: a detailed analysis to exclude the effects of medical disorders and other acute pre-existing physiological disturbances. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1990; 97: 883–892. MEDLINE |
| 39. | MacArthur C, Bick DE, Keighley MRB: Faecal incontinence after childbirth. Br J Obstet Gynecol 1997; 104: 46–50. MEDLINE |
| 40. | Mellerup Sorensen S, Bodensen H, Istre O, Vilmann P: Perineal rupture following vaginal delivery. Long-term consequences. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1988; 67: 315–318. MEDLINE |
| 41. | Nelson R, Norton N, Cautley E, Furner S: Community-based prevalence of anal incontinence. JAMA 1995; 274: 559. MEDLINE |
| 42. | Nielsen MB, Hauge C, Rasmussen OO, Pedersen JF, Christiansen J: Anal endosonographic findings in the follow-up of primarily sutured sphincteric ruptures. Br J Surg 1992; 79: 104–106. MEDLINE |
| 43. | Parks AG, McPartlin JF: Late repair of injuries of the anal spincter. Proc Roy Soc Med 1971; 64: 35–37. |
| 44. | Parks AG, Swash M, Urich H: Spincter denervation in anorectal incontinence and rectal prolapse. GUT 1977; 18: 656–665. MEDLINE |
| 45. | Pehl C, Cluss B, Birkner et al.: Stuhlinkontinenz: Diagnostisches und therapeutisches Stufenschema. Dtsch Arztebl 2000; 97: A-1302–1308. VOLLTEXT |
| 46. | Poen AC, Felt-Berksma RJF, Strijers RLM, Dekers GA, Cuesta MA, Meuwissen SGM: Thrid-degree obstetric perineal tear: long-term clinical and functional results after primary repair. Br J Surg 1998; 85: 1433–1438. MEDLINE |
| 47. | Pomeroy RH: Shall we cut and reconstruct the perineum of every primipara? Am J Obstet Dis Women Child 1918; 78: 211. |
| 48. | Rheinische Perinatalerhebung (RPE): Ergebnisse für das Jahr 1998. www.aekno.de. |
| 49. | Rieger N, Schloithe A, Saccone G, Wattchow D: A Prospective study of anal sphincter injury due to childbirth. Scand J Gastroenterol 1998; 33: 950–955. MEDLINE |
| 50. | Robinson JN, Norwitz ER, Cohen AP, Lieberman E: Predictors of episiotomy use at first spotaneous vaginal delivery. Obstet Gynecol 2000; 96: 214–218. MEDLINE |
| 51. | Samuelsson E, Ladfors L, Wennerholm UB, Gareberg B, Nyberg K, Hagberg H: Anal sphincter tears: prospective study of obstetric risk factors. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 2000; 107: 926–931. MEDLINE |
| 52. | Sandridge DA, Thorp JM, Roddenberry P, Kuller J, Wild J: Vaginal delivery is associated with occult disruption of the anal sphincter mechanism. Am J Perinat 1997; 14: 527–533. MEDLINE |
| 53. | Sangalli MR, Floris L, Faltin D, Weil A: Anal incontinence in women with third or fourth degree perineal tears and subsequent vaginal deliveries. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2000; 40: 244–248. MEDLINE |
| 54. | Signorello LB, Harlow BL, Chekos AK, Repke JT: Midline episiotomy and anal incontinence: retrospective cohort study. BMJ 2000; 320: 86–90. MEDLINE |
| 55. | Sleep J, Grant A, Garcia J, Elbourne D, Spencer J: West Bershire perineal management trial. BMJ 1984; 289: 587–590. MEDLINE |
| 56. | Sorensen M, Tezschner T, Rasmussen OO, Bjarnesen J, Christiansen J: Sphincter rupture in childbirth. Br J Surg 1993; 80: 392–394. MEDLINE |
| 57. | Speakman CT, Kamm MA: The internal anal sphincter – new insights into faecal incontinence. GUT 1991; 32: 345–346. MEDLINE |
| 58. | Stockhammer P, Villinger C, Haensel W, Dengler HM: Kritische Beobachtungen über einen Dammriss III°. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 1976; 36: 759–763. MEDLINE |
| 59. | Stoops Gass MS, Dunn C, Stys S: Effect of episiotomy on the frequency of vaginal outlet lacerations. J Reprod Med 1986; 31: 240–244. MEDLINE |
| 60. | Sultan AH, Johanson RB, Carter JE: Occult anal sphincter trauma following randomized forceps and vacuum delivery. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1998; 61: 113–119. MEDLINE |
| 61. | Sultan AH, Kamm MA, Hudson C, Thomas JM, Bartram CI: Anal-sphincter disruption during vaginal delivery. N Engl J Med 1993; 329:1905–1911. MEDLINE |
| 62. | Sultan AH, Kamm MA: Faecal incontinence after childbirth. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1997; 104: 979–982. MEDLINE |
| 63. | Sultan AH, Kumar D, Hudson CN, Bartram CI: Third degree obstetric anal sphincter tears: risk factors and outcome of primary repair. BMJ 1994; 308: 887–891. MEDLINE |
| 64. | Sultan AH, Monga AK, Kumar D, Stanton SL: Primary repair of obstetric amal sphincter rupture using the overlap technique. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1999; 106: 318–323. MEDLINE |
| 65. | Sultan AH, Stanton SL: Preserving the pelvic floor and perineum during childbirth – elective ceasarean section? Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1996; 103: 731–734. MEDLINE |
| 66. | Tetzschner T, Soerensen M, Rasmussen OO, Lose G, Christiansen J: Pudendal nerve damage increases the risk of fecal incontinence in women with anal sphincter rupture after childbirth. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1995; 74: 434–440. MEDLINE |
| 67. | Thacker SB, Banta HD: Benefits and risks of episiotomy: An interpretetive review of the english language literature, 1850–1980. Obstet Gynecol Surv 1983; 38: 322–338. MEDLINE |
| 68. | Ulsenheimer K: Wunschsectio: forensische Aspekte. Gynökologe 2000; 33: 882–886. |
| 69. | Varma A, Gunn J, Gardiner A, Lindow SW, Duthie GS: Obstetric anal sphincter injury. Dis Colon Rectum 1999; 42: 1537–1543. MEDLINE |
| 70. | Walsh CJ, Mooney EF, Uptom GJ, Motson RW: Incidence of third-degree perineal tears in labour and outcome after primary repair. Br J Surg. 1996; 83: 218–221. MEDLINE |
| 71. | Weissauer W: Das Dammschnitturteil des Bundesgerichtshofs. Gyn Prax 1979; 3: 589. |
| 72. | Wenderlein JM, Merkle E: Beschwerden infolge Episiotomie. Geburtsh Frauenheilk 1983; 43: 625–628. |
| 73. | Wood J, Amos L, Rieger N: Third degree anal sphincter tears: risk factors and outcome. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 1998; 38: 414–417. MEDLINE |