Original ArticlesRisk of repetition of a severe perineal laceration
Section snippets
Materials and methods
The delivering attendant recorded use of episiotomy and evaluation of laceration or trauma. First-degree lacerations involve only the vaginal mucosa. Second-degree lacerations extend into the perineal body. Third-degree lacerations extend into the anal sphincter. Fourth-degree lacerations extend through the rectal mucosa. In the present study, severe laceration was used to identify third- or fourth-degree extension or tear. No laceration was used to identify both episiotomy without extension
Results
There were 4015 women who met our starting criteria of nulliparity, gestational age greater than 36 weeks, singleton, and vertex presentation who had a subsequent delivery at our institution. Seven hundred seventy-four (19.3%) had a severe perineal laceration. Delivery characteristics of these women are shown in Table 1. There was no difference in the maternal age and weight at delivery between women who had a severe perineal laceration and those who did not. The average birth weight, use of
Discussion
Physicians and midwives depend on their training and experience when faced with a decision to perform an episiotomy. Proponents claim that the proper use of midline episiotomy can minimize perineal and anterior vaginal wall damage, pelvic floor relaxation, and trauma to the neonate. However, midline episiotomy has been linked to significant morbidity, especially severe perineal laceration. Rectovaginal fistula, loss of rectal tone, perineal abscess formation, unsatisfactory anatomic repair,
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