2. What is episiotomy
Episiotomy is the most common operation in
obstetrics.
It is an incision in the perineum that is either
the midline (a median episiotomy) or begun in
midline but directed laterally away from the
rectum.
3. Episiotomy
• Deliberate Surgical incision
to widen the vaginal
introitus to facilitate the
delivery of baby
• It is one of the most
commonly performed
procedures in obstetrics
4. Origin of
Episiotomy
Difficult to determine the origin
First described in 1742 by Sir Fielding Ould in
his Treatise of Midwifery in Three Parts
About 100 years later, in mid 19th century it was
introduced in USA
Was used only to facilitate an unusually difficult labor
5. Objectives
• To facilitate easy and safe delivery of the fetus:
spontaneous, breech or instrumental
To enlarge the vaginal
introitus
• To reduce rupture of perineal muscles & fascia
• To reduce the stress and strain on the fetal head
To minimize
overstretching of
perineal muscle
6.
7. In 1920 Dr Joseph DeLee first publicly advocated the routine adoption
of mediolateral episiotomy for all deliveries in nulliparous women
By 1930s Diethelm asserted that the indications for episiotomy were
well established and needed no defense
This opinion supported the increasing trend of the use of episiotomy
Trends
8. The Peak
By 1979, episiotomy was
performed in 63% of all deliveries
in the United States, with higher
rates among nulliparas
In Great Britain in the same era,
episiotomy rates ranged from 14-
96% among nulliparas and from
16-71% among multiparas
Was considered standard of care
by many obstetric care providers
9. The Change
In the 1970s and 1980s, however, obstetric
providers began to question the routine use of
episiotomy
Evidence began to emerge that demonstrated
the potential consequences of episiotomy
Increased risk of extension to severe
perineal tears
Increased risk of dyspareunia, and
Future pelvic floor dysfunction
10. Timing of episiotomy
At the time of crowning
After application of blades in forceps delivery
12. Timing of the episiotomy
when bulging of thinned out perineum
during contraction just prior to crowning
Fails to prevent lacerations of perineal body
During forceps delivery, episiotomy is given after the blade application
If early: Blood loss will be more
If late:
Timing:
13. Maternal Benefits
Short-term benefits
Ease of repair
compared to a
spontaneous perineal
laceration
Reduction in severe or
third- or fourth-degree
tears
Long Term Benefits
By shortening the time for which the perineum
is stretched during birth
Episiotomy Prevents
• Pelvic floor relaxation
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Sexual dysfunction
• Urinary incontinence
• Fecal incontinence
14. Benefits to
Neonate
Prevention of
• Asphyxia
• Cranial trauma
• Cerebral
hemorrhage
• Mental retardation
• Reduction of the
risk of shoulder
dystocia
15. Other
Societies
Major society recommendations
recognize a restricted role for
episiotomy to assist with
Difficult deliveries eg, shoulder
dystocia
Instrumental delivery especially
forceps
To facilitate delivery in breech and in
cases if non-reassuring fetal status
Possibly to avoid a serious maternal
laceration - Surgical judgement is
required
16. Indications of restricted episiotomy
Tight perineum
Operative delivery
Previous perineal surgery
Anticipating perineal tears
Face to pubes
Persistent OP
Shoudler dystocia
Breech
17. Suture Material
• Anatomical repair of the episiotomy
doesn't differ significantly depending on
the type of suture material (n.s.-P>0.05).
With Vicryl local injury reaction
erythema
edema and
pain less as compared with plain cat
gut - silk group.
Rapid absorbable synthetic sutures
18.
19. Types of episiotomy
Mediolateral
Diagonal downwards & outwards from midpoint of
fourchette 2.5 cms away from anus
J Shaped
From centre of fourchette, in midline for 1.5cms then
directed downwards & outwards
Median
From centre of fourchette extends posteriorly along
mid line for 2.5 cms
Lateral
1cm away from centre of fourchette extends laterally
24. Steps of mediolateral episiotomy
Step 1:
preliminaries
10ml of 1% lignocaine infiltrated in the line of
proposed incision for local anesthesia
Perineum cleaned with antiseptic lotion & draped
25. Steps of mediolateral episiotomy
Step 2
Incision
Two fingers are placed in the vagina between
presenting part & posterior vaginal wall
Cut starts from centre of fourchette directed
diagonally in a straight line about 2.5 cms away
from anus
Incision made at height of uterine contraction,
to the right or left side
26. Structures cut in episiotomy
Posterior vaginal wall
Superficial & deep transverse perineal muscles
Bulbospongiosus muscle
Part of levator ani muscle
Transverse perineal - pudendal vessels & nerves
Subcutaneous tissue & skin
28. Repair of episiotomy
Achieve perfect haemostasis
Obliterate the dead space
Suture without tension
Repair in three layers under strict aseptic precautions
3) Skin and subcutaneous tissue
First suture to be placed at or just above the apex of the tear
1) Vaginal mucosa & submucosal tissue
2) Perineal muscles
mucosa muscles skin
29. Post operative care
Keep area clean and dry
Clean with antiseptic solution & apply antibiotic ointment
Analgesic drugs for pain
Keep thighs apposed while sitting
Patient made ambulatory as soon as possible
Sutures are absorbable, so need not be removed
30. Complications
Short term
Perineal lacerations
Pain
Haematoma
Haemorraghe
Wound dehiscence/oedema
Anorectal injury
Uretharal/bladderv
Long term
Ch infections
Anorectal dysfunction
Urinary incomtinence
Pelvic organ prolapse
Sexual dys function
Pain
31. Complications of episiotomy
Early
Extension of
incision
Vulval hematoma
Infection
Wound dehiscence
Remote
Dyspareunia
Injury to anal
sphincter
Rectovaginal
fistula
Scar
endometriosis
34. Vulvar hematoma is a rare
but potentially fatal
condition if left
undiagnosed and
untreated
prompt recognition of this
condition is important
A vulvar hematoma is a
collection of blood in the
vulva
The vulva is soft tissue
mainly composed of smooth
muscle and loose connective
tissue and is supplied by
branches of the pudendal
artery
36. KEY MESSAGE
Vaginal lacerations or tears are very common when giving birth.
Tears can be around the urethra or in the vagina , perineum or labia
Vaginal tears are classified by degrees( based on how deep they are) & site
With proper repair and healing, most women have no long-term issues from having a vaginal
laceration
1st degree tears don't involve muscle, so they usually heal more quickly and are less painful
Evaluation is focused on amount of bleeding hemostasis, anatomic distortion and integrity of anal
sphincter( for excluding OASI)
37. To conclude-
Current
Practice
Routine use of episiotomy is not
recommended
Targeted or restricted use of episiotomy is
appropriate
Absorbable, rapid dissolving sutures are
preferred
Proper training in technique of giving
episiotomy, suturing, and diagnosing OASIS is
essential
Editor's Notes
The origin of episiotomy is difficult to determine, but one of the first to describe it was a midwife, Sir Fielding Ould. In 1742, in his Treatise of Midwifery in Three Parts, he recommended the procedure for those cases in which the external vaginal opening is so tight that labor is dangerously prolonged.3 The first report of the procedure in the United States was 110 years later in a