Impact of the EPISCISSORS-60 mediolateral episiotomy scissors on obstetric anal sphincter injuries: a 2-year data review in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: This time-series analysis was carried out to determine if the use of the EPISCISSORS-60®, episiotomy scissors specifically designed to achieve a cutting angle of 60°, would continue to sustain obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) reductions at our hospital 2 years after its introduction.

Methods: We compared data from 2,342 women delivered in 2014 (prior to the introduction of EPISCISSORS-60®) with that of 4,498 women delivered from 2016 to 2017 (after the introduction of EPISCISSORS-60®).

Results: There was a reduction of OASIS in all nulliparous vaginal deliveries (NVD; 7.2% vs 5.1% p = 0.05), and a 50% reduction of OASIS (7.5% vs 3.7%) in operative vaginal deliveries (OVD) (p = 0.02). There was a statistically significant association between episiotomies performed with EPISCISSORS-60® and a reduction in OASIS (SVD: 6.9% vs 1.5% p = 0.006; OVD:28.6% vs 2.6% p < 0.0001). Additionally, there was an increase in the use of episiotomies in all nulliparous vaginal deliveries (29% vs 33.7%; p = 0.01). We also found a 78% reduction of OASIS with episiotomies compared with no episiotomies in the 2016-2017 group (6.9% vs 1.5% p = 0.006).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that there might have been a sustained reduction in OASIS rates associated with using EPISCISSORS-60®.

Keywords: EPISCISSORS-60®; Episiotomy; Nulliparous women; Obstetric anal sphincter injuries; Third- and fourth-degree tears.