Routine episiotomy versus selective episiotomy in primigravidae

Selective versus routine use of episiotomy for vaginal birth

BACKGROUND Some clinicians believe that routine episiotomy, a surgical cut of the vagina and perineum, will prevent serious tears during childbirth. On the other hand, an episiotomy guarantees perineal trauma and sutures. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on mother and baby of a policy of selective episiotomy ('only if needed') compared with a policy of routine episiotomy ('part of routine man...

The cost-effectiveness of routine versus restrictive episiotomy in Argentina.

OBJECTIVE This article provides the estimates of the cost implications of switching from routine to restrictive episiotomy in 2 provinces in Argentina (Santa Fe and Salta) from the viewpoint of the health provider. STUDY DESIGN A decision-tree model was constructed that used the probabilities and patient outcomes (the results of a trial in Argentina), resource use, cost, and local epidemiolog...

Outcomes of routine episiotomy: a systematic review.

CONTEXT Episiotomy at the time of vaginal birth is common. Practice patterns vary widely, as do professional opinions about maternal risks and benefits associated with routine use. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the best evidence available about maternal outcomes of routine vs restrictive use of episiotomy. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We searched MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied...

Episiotomy in Modern Obstetrics – Necessity Versus

Episiotomy is now one of the most common procedures performed in obstetrics. At the beginning of its existence, it was performed very carefully and used in exceptional circumstances. In the second half of the twentieth century, its use became so widespread that it was almost regarded as a standard procedure in labor rooms. Authors intend to provide answers to the question as to whether it was a...

[For or against episiotomy? Against episiotomy].