Abstract | BACKGROUND: The role of episiotomy in vacuum deliveries is controversial. OBJECTIVES: To perform a meta-analysis of the literature examining this subject. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search was conducted in four databases. SELECTION CRITERIA: Two investigators independently selected original research examining the effects of episiotomy on any neonatal and maternal outcomes during vacuum delivery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The effect estimates were presented as odds ratios ( ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). MAIN RESULTS: Fifteen articles were included, encompassing a total of 350 764 vacuum deliveries. A non-significant relationship was shown between mediolateral episiotomy and obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) in nulliparous women (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.43-1.07; six studies), whereas an increased risk was demonstrated in parous women (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05-1.53; two reports). A higher risk of OASIS with median episiotomy use was shown in nulliparous (OR 5.11, 95% CI 3.23-8.08; two studies) as well as in parous (OR 89.4, 95% CI 11.8-677.1; one study) women. Lateral episiotomy was related to lower OASIS risk in nullipara (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.49-0.70; single paper). Mediolateral episiotomy was linked to increased rates of postpartum haemorrhage (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.16-2.86) and analgesia use (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.39-3.17; two reports). Overall, the quality of evidence was rated as low to very low. AUTHOR'S CONCLUSIONS: Mediolateral and median episiotomy in parous woman may increase the rate of OASIS at vacuum delivery, whereas lateral episiotomy in nulliparous women could be associated with a decreased risk of OASIS. The suboptimal quality of the available evidence necessitates high-quality well-designed randomised trials. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT:
Episiotomy in vacuum delivery does not appear to be of benefit, and might even increase maternal morbidity.
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Authors | L Sagi-Dain, S Sagi |
Journal | BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
(BJOG)
Vol. 122
Issue 8
Pg. 1073-81
(Jul 2015)
ISSN: 1471-0528 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 25950083
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review, Systematic Review)
|
Copyright | © 2015 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. |
Topics |
- Anal Canal
(injuries)
- Episiotomy
(adverse effects, methods)
- Female
- Humans
- Obstetric Labor Complications
(etiology)
- Pregnancy
- Risk Factors
- Treatment Outcome
- Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical
(adverse effects)
|