Comparative Study of extent of Mediolateral Episiotomies byDoctors and Midwives in Ahvaz Maternity Hospitals

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. of Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 B.Sc. of Midwifery, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Episiotomy is the most common operation performed in obstetrics. Since midline episiotomy has been shown to significantly increase the risk of anal sphincter injuries followed by fecal and gas incontinence, mediolateral episiotomy has become common. Despite the use of mediolateral episiotomy a large proportion of women still develop anal sphincter injuries. The aim of this study was to compare the extent of mediolateral episiotomies by doctors and midwives in Ahvaz maternity hospitals.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on nuliparous women who referred to Imam Khomeini, Razi and Sina maternity hospitals of Ahvaz city in 2010. The perineal length, episiotomy length, distance from the midline, shortest distance from the midpoint of the anal canal and episiotomy angle were measured using a tape in the lithotomy position immediately after episiotomy repair. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic t-test and chi square tests in SPSS software version 15.
Results: Of 120 assessed episiotomies, 76 (%63.3) were performed by midwives and 44(%36.7) were performed by doctors and %16.6 of episiotomies had been performed with true angles. In the other hand, %13.2 of midwives and %22.7 of doctors had performed truly mediolateral episiotomies and there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups (p value=0/12)
 
Conclusion: These results show that the majority of episiotomies are not truly mediolateral, so more intensive training of doctors and midwives is clearly required.

Keywords

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 14, Issue 5 - Serial Number 5
November 2011
Pages 32-37

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