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Published in: The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India 6/2012

01-12-2012 | Original Article

Episiotomies During Deliveries of Singletons in Cephalic Presentation: The Incidence can be Reduced

Authors: Elie Nkwabong, Luc Kouam

Published in: The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India | Issue 6/2012

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Abstract

Objectives

To verify if episiotomy rate could be reduced without compromising materno-fetal well-being.

Material and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2010 in the maternity unit of the University Teaching Hospital Yaoundé (Cameroon). All cases of singletons in cephalic presentation with episiotomies done or not done during deliveries were recruited. Data were analyzed by means of SPSS 12.0. The Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison. The level of significance was 0.05.

Results

We performed 163 episiotomies (9.6 %). Main indications were rigid perineum, fetal weight ≥3,500 g, prolonged second stage of labor, and instrumental deliveries; 82.2 % of patients were nullipara. Mean 5th minute Apgar score was 9.2. Short term maternal complications were mainly perineal pain. Among fetuses delivered with or without episiotomy, no case of early neonatal death was recorded.

Conclusions

The use of episiotomy can be reduced without increasing maternal and fetal morbidities.
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Metadata
Title
Episiotomies During Deliveries of Singletons in Cephalic Presentation: The Incidence can be Reduced
Authors
Elie Nkwabong
Luc Kouam
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 0971-9202
Electronic ISSN: 0975-6434
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-012-0207-z

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