Episiotomy and perineal trauma prevalence and obstetric risk factors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Perineal trauma sustained during vaginal delivery may predispose to short and long-term complications such as postpartum haemorrhage and sexual dysfunction. Most published literature on perineal trauma and episiotomy come from developed countries and there is limited information from developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the rate and risk factors for episiotomies and perineal trauma at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria.

Methods: A retrospective review of vaginal deliveries at the UPTH between 1st January 1996 and 31st December 2000.

Results: The episiotomy rate in 4720 vaginal deliveries during the period of study was 39.1% in all parturients, while in primigravidae, it was 77.1%. Rates for first and second degree perineal tears in all women were 10.6 and 25% respectively. The incidence of episiotomy decreased with increasing parity while the incidence of perineal tears slightly increased with parity. Nulliparity, vaginal breech deliveries and instrumental vaginal deliveries were identified as risk factors for episiotomy.

Conclusion: Episiotomy rate at the UPTH is high but the procedure appears to have prevented the occurrence of third degree and complete perineal tears.