Routine versus selective use of episiotomy in primigravida: a prospective non-randomized case-control study

Background: Episiotomy is a surgically planned incision on the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall during second stage of labour. It is an inflicted second-degree perineal tear. Objective of this study was to determine the possible benefits and risks of the use of selective episiotomy versus routine episiotomy during delivery in primigravida.Methods: This is a prospective non-randomized case-control study designed to analyze and compare the maternal outcomes following routine versus selective use of episiotomy in primigravida. In control group, 122 patients were recruited and mediolateral episiotomy was given in all patients; while in study group, 61 patients were recruited, in whom episiotomy was given selectively.Results: In study group 61 patients were recruited, out of which episiotomy can be avoided in 23 (37.7%) of cases. There was no 3rd or 4th degree perineal tear found in any group. Perineal pain score on 3rd day postpartum was less in study group, as compared to control group on bed rest, sitting, walking and defecation.Conclusions: Selective use of episiotomy can improve maternal outcome by reducing perineal lacerations and those having intact perineum can have the best outcome when episiotomy is given selectively.

Can perineal tear be predicted by severity of striae gravidarum score?

Background: The objective of this study was to wether perineal tear predicted by scoring of severity of striae gravidarum. The objective of this study was to predict perineal tear by simple non-invasive method and help to prevent maternal morbidity.Methods: Three hundred ninety four patients delivered normally were included in this study. Striae gravidarum score was assessed using the Atwal numerical scoring system. The association was examined between striae and perineal tear as the outcome measure, defined by tears or laceration, and the total striae scores (TSS) was obtained.Results: In present study population mean age was 25.16 years ranging from 16-40 , mean gravidity was 2.16 ranging from 1 -8 ,average baby birth weight was 2.713 kg ranging from  1.62-4.58 The only predictors of perineal tears that were found to be statistically significant in our study were severity of striae gravidarum and episiotomy given or not. In patients with moderate to severe striae there was tear in 90 patients as compared to 29 patients with no or mild striae. 224 patients belonging to no or mild striae group delivered without any perineal tear whereas 51 patients in moderate to severe striae group delivered without tear. Out of these 51 patients 5 were given episiotomy. 2 patients who were given episiotomy had perineal tear as compared to 117 patients who were not given episiotomy. This shows that patients who had an episiotomy were less likely to have perineal tear in most cases.Conclusions: This study demonstrates a significant relation between severity of striae gravidarum and perineal tear. The findings suggest that striae gravidarum assessment may be used in the clinical setting even by paramedical staff as a simple and noninvasive tool to better define women at risk for perineal tear.

An unusual case of delivery with central rupture of perineum and intact introitus

Most women experience some degree of tear during childbirth and in some these can be extensive. Obstetrics injuries contribute 0.5-15% of vaginal deliveries. Here authors present a case of 23-year-old primigravida who presented at Safdarjung hospital New Delhi, Delhi, India with complaint of pain in perineum and excessive bleeding per vaginum. On examination, introitus was intact and there was central rupture of perineum which involved anal sphincter proximally and rectal mucosa distally. Patient was shifted to operation theatre for exploration and repair. She received 2 units of blood transfusion, antibiotics and laxatives. Patient was discharged on post-operative day 5 in satisfactory condition. Thus, authors emphasise the need of institutional delivery and prevention of perineal injuries which would further obviate the need for surgical repair and associated morbidity. In present era of easy communication and transport we still receive cases of unsupervised deliveries which gives us a strong motive to spread awareness for antenatal visits and care among this population.

Effect of perineal massage in the second stage of labour, on the incidence of episiotomy and perineal tears

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether perineal massage during second stage of labour could decrease perineal trauma in the form of episiotomy and perineal tears.Methods: One hundred and fifty term antenatal women in labour were randomly assigned to two groups, one of which received perineal massage and the other received routine care during the second stage. Frequency of episiotomies, perineal tears, intact perineums, degrees of perineal tears, duration of second stage of labour and perineal pain after 24 hours was compared.Results: Perineal massage was efficient in reducing incidence of episiotomy, duration of second stage of labour and perineal pain assessed 24 hours after delivery. The frequency of perineal tears and intact perineums did not differ significantly. Perineal massage was protective against severe form of third degree perineal tears.Conclusions: Authors suggest that perineal massage can be routinely practiced by health professionals to improve quality of life in women post vaginal delivery.

Presentación de una paciente con desgarro perineal obstétrico / Presentation of a Patient with Perineal Obstetric Tear

Se realizó una revisión sobre desgarro perineal obstétrico, motivada por la presentación de un caso atendido en la Consulta de Coloproctología del Hospital Provincial General Vladimir ILich Lenin en diciembre de 2015. Se trató de una mujer blanca de 29 años procedencia rural, que hacía alrededor de ocho años tuvo un parto distócico instrumentado, con complicación de un desgarro de la musculatura del periné, que le producía incontinencia anal y dificultad al contacto sexual. Una vez diagnosticada como un desgarro perianal grado IV, se realizó chequeo preoperatorio, luego una intervención quirúrgica mayor electiva ambulatoria con anestesia local infiltrativa. Se le realizó una reconstrucción perianal y se le siguió de manera ambulatoria por consulta para evitar la aparición de complicaciones tardías. La paciente tuvo una evolución satisfactoria con alta médica a los 60 días. La aparición de esta afección ocurre en alrededor del 0,4% al 5% de los partos vaginales, la causa más común asociada con laceraciones perineales severas es la episiotomía. La incidencia de desgarros de grados III o IV es del 9% a 27% en las mediales. La episiotomía, como se ve en este y en otros estudios, no protege al esfínter y su uso no debería ser de rutina, sino electivo. El trauma obstétrico constituye la causa principal y casi exclusiva de las lesiones a nivel de la musculatura perineal con repercusión variable sobre la continencia fecal.

A review of obstetric perineal tear was carried out, motivated by the presentation of a case attended at the Coloproctology Consultation of the General Provincial Hospital Vladimir ILich Lenin in December of 2015. The patient was a white woman of 29 years of rural origin, who was about eight years had a dystocic instrumental delivery, with complication of a tearing of the perineum muscles, which caused anal incontinence and difficulty to sexual intercourse. Once diagnosed as a grade IV perianal tear, a preoperative check was performed, followed by elective ambulatory surgery with local infiltrative anesthesia. A perianal reconstruction was performed and was followed on an outpatient consultation to avoid the occurrence of late complications. The patient had a satisfactory evolution with medical discharge at 60 days. The onset of this condition occurs in about 0.4% to 5% of vaginal deliveries, the most common cause associated with severe perineal lacerations is episiotomy. The incidence of grade III or IV tears is from 9% to 27% in medial tears. Episiotomy, as seen in this and other studies, does not protect the sphincter and its use should not be routine, but elective. Obstetric trauma is the main and almost exclusive cause of injuries at the level of the perineal musculature with variable repercussions on fecal continence.

Pattern of episiotomy use & its immediate complications among vaginal deliveries in 18 tertiary care hospitals in India.

Background & objectives: In developed countries, efforts have been made to restrict episiotomy practice. However, in developing countries the episiotomy rates continue to be high. This study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of episiotomy use and its immediate complications among women delivering at tertiary level public hospitals in India. Methods: Prospective data of all women undergoing vaginal delivery including instrumental delivery were collected daily from the labour room registers of the 18 tertiary care hospitals on a structured proforma. Weekly data from all sites were sent to a central unit for compilation and analysis. Odds ratio was used to compare the proportion of genital trauma among women with and without episiotomy both in nulliparous and multiparous women. Results: Among 1,20,243 vaginal deliveries, episiotomy was performed in 63.4 per cent (n=76,305) cases. Nulliparaous women were 8.8 times more likely to undergo episiotomy than multiparous women. The various genital tract injuries reported were first degree perineal tear (n=4805, 3.9%), second degree perineal tear (n=1082, 0.9%), third and fourth degree perineal tear (n=186, 0.2%), anterior vaginal trauma requiring suturing (n=490, 0.4%), extension of episiotomy/vaginal laceration/excessive bleeding from episiotomy or tear (n=177, 0.15%), vulval/vaginal haematoma (n=70, 0.06%) and cervical tear (n=108, 0.08%). The combined rate of third and fourth degree perineal tears was observed to be significantly lower (P<0.001) among nullipara who received episiotomy (0.13%) compared to those who delivered without episiotomy (0.62%). Interpretations & conclusions: Significantly lower rates of third or fourth degree perineal tear were seen among nulliparous women undergoing episiotomy. The risk and benefit of episiotomy and its complications need to be evaluated through randomized clinical trials in the Indian context.

Experiencia inicial del impacto de la reparación con colgajos de cloaca traumática postparto en la calidad de vida / Initial experience, of the impact of the repair, with postpartum traumatic cloaca flaps, on the quality of life

Introducción: La incontinencia fecal mayor es un trastorno que modifica significativamente la calidad devida. Un grupo particularmente afectado son las mujeres con antecedentes de trauma obstétrico. Dentrode ellos, los más graves son los de cuarto grado que involucran la totalidad de las capas del tabique rectovaginal, produciendo una comunicación completa entre la luz rectal y la vagina, generando una cloaca. Sibien la incidencia de éstas, es de alrededor del 0,3% de los partos, el efecto que tiene sobre las pacienteses devastador. El único tratamiento efectivo para este tipo de lesiones es la reparación quirúrgica.Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto que presenta la corrección quirúrgica de la cloaca por trauma obstétrico en lacalidad de vida de las afectadas.Material y Métodos: Análisis prospectivo secundario y ampliado de una serie consecutiva de pacientestratadas por desgarro perineal completo tipo cloaca durante el año 2013. Se evaluó la demografía de lamuestra, la paridad de las pacientes, el tiempo medio hasta la consulta desde el último parto, la manometríapre y postoperatoria, la evaluación de incontinencia fecal pre y postoperatorio. Para valorar la severidad dela incontinencia fecal se utilizó el índice CCF-FIS y el índice de severidad de incontinencia fecal (FISI). Parala evaluación de calidad de vida se utilizó la encuesta FIQLS de la Sociedad Americana de Cirujanos delColon y Recto (ASCRS).Resultados: Tres pacientes fueron intervenidas entre enero de 2013 y diciembre de 2013. En el examenfísico, el 100% de las pacientes presentaron una cloaca perineal. El score CCF-FIS preoperatorio fue del16,7 (16 a 18 puntos). El puntaje de FISI pre-operatorio fue de 54,3 (52 a 57). Las tres pacientes refirieronalteraciones en su actividad social y sexual. Se reevaluaron las pacientes al tercer mes de postoperatorio yluego del cierre de la colostomía...

Introduction: The major fecal incontinence is a disorder that significantly change the quality of life. Aparticularly affected group are women with a history of obstetric trauma and presenting demonstrationsimmediately. Among them, the most serious are the fourth degree involving all the layers of the rectovaginalseptum, producing a complete communication between the rectal lumen and vagina, creating a sewer.Although their incidence is about 0.3% of births, the effect on patients is devastating.Objective: To evaluate the impact making the surgical correction of the cloaca by obstetrical trauma in thequality of life of those affected.Material and Methods: Secondary and expanded Prospective analysis of a consecutive series of patientstreated by complete perineal tear type cloaca in 2013. The demographics of the sample was evaluated theparity of the patients, the median time to the query from the last delivery, pre and postoperative manometry,assessment of pre-and postoperative fecal incontinence. To assess the severity of fecal incontinence CCFFISindex and the severity of fecal incontinence (FISI) was used. The FIQLS survey by the American Societyof Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) was used for the evaluation of quality of lifeResults: Three patients were operated between January 2013 and December 2013 on physical examination, 100% of patients had a perineal cloaca. The CCF-FIS preoperative score was 16.67 (16-18 points). Thescore FISI pre-surgery was 54.33 (52-57). The three patients reported changes in their social and sexualactivity. Patients at the third month after surgery and after colostomy closure were reassessed...

Pattern of injuries in a Fatal small aircraft accident.

Aircraft accident investigation is divided between human and machine factors. Human factors include intoxication, cardiovascular pathology, CO Poisoning, hypoxia, vertigo, operational errors. Machine factors are focused on impact based on speed, direction of travel, angle of impact and altitude. Autopsy data from individual aviation crashes have long been used in aviation safety research. The present study examines the injury pattern in occupants of a light executive jet aircraft crashed in bad monsoon weather, while on a flight, killing all eight persons on board including the two pilots. The bodies of the victims were brought to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. All bodies were sufficiently intact and were easily identifiable. Detailed autopsies were performed on all the eight occupants, which yielded findings relevant to the cause of the accident. Our findings emphasize the need for autopsy on all aviation accident victims, especially pilots, as it is the only reliable method to find out the various factors contributing to an accident.