Effect of episiotomy on perineal lacerations in spontaneous vertex deliveries

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of episiotomy on the frequency of perineal lacerations. Design: Cross-Sectional analytical study. Place & duration of study: Department of Gynae Obstetrics unit III. Lady willingdon Hospital Lahore. From April 1994 to March 1996. Patients & methods: 2918 women who delivered vaginally were included in the study. Only right mediolateral episiotomy incision was used in these cases. Local anaesthesia in the form of 2% Lignocain was used in all cases to infiltrate the area before episiotomy cut. The delivery was conducted in most cases by a resident. The rate of perineal lacerations with or without episiotomy in both primiparae and multiparae groups was noted. Results 2918 women of term singleton babies were entered into this study. Episiotomy was performed in 1419 (48.63%) of these women. There were 1095(37.53%) primiparae and 1823 (62.47%) multiparae in the study groups. The rate of episiotomy in primiparae and multiparae were 93.42% and 21.72% respectively. A total of 267 (9.2%) perineal tears were sustained by these women during vaginal delivery . Episiotomy was associated with 151 (10.6%) perineal tears compared to 116(7.7%) without episiotomy. The incidence of fourth degree perineal laceration was 0.4% without episiotomy but increased to 1% with the use of episiotomy. This difference is statistically significant. Conclusion: Episiotomy is not protective against severe perineal lacerations. A selective use of episiotomy is recommended for appropriate indications.