This study conducted in Sweden aimed to determine the effect of lateral episiotomy compared to no episiotomy on obstetric anal sphincter injury in nulliparous women undergoing vacuum extraction. A total of 717 women were included in the study, with half assigned to lateral episiotomy and the other half to no episiotomy. The results showed that lateral episiotomy significantly reduced the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury in this population. However, lateral episiotomy was also associated with more wound infections and dehiscence. Therefore, lateral episiotomy can be recommended for nulliparous women requiring vacuum extraction to reduce the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury.
Source link
Lateral episiotomy or no episiotomy in vacuum assisted delivery in nulliparous women (EVA): multicentre, open label, randomised controlled trial
