A randomized control trial evaluating the prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in primigravida in routine versus selective mediolateral episiotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), which include third and fourth degree perineal tears in primigravida in routine versus selective mediolateral episiotomy. Secondly, to determine the rate of episiotomy in local settings. METHODS: This randomized control trial was carried out in the labor ward of a tertiary hospital of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between May and October 2009. The trial included 171 primigravida beyond 38 weeks gestation who achieved vaginal delivery, and randomly assigned to selective and routine episiotomy groups. The type of perineal injuries following childbirth among 171 women were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall episiotomy rate from both groups was 76.6%. The prevalence of third degree perineal tears was 3.7% in the routine compared with selective mediolateral episiotomy at 1.1%. There was no occurrence of fourth degree tears in both groups. However, selective mediolateral episiotomy was associated with an increased risk of periurethral and labial injury compared with the routine group (4.5% versus 0%). CONCLUSION: Routine mediolateral episiotomy in primigravida is associated with a higher prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries. As anal sphincter injuries are known to have morbidities, selective mediolateral episiotomy in primigravida is therefore recommended in the implementation of new delivery practice, and in an attempt to reduce our high episiotomy rate.

Kiwi Omnicup versus Malmstrom metal cup in vacuum assisted delivery: a randomized comparative trial.

AIM: To compare the success, clinical outcomes, and maternal and neonatal complications between the Kiwi Omnicup and the Malmstrom metal cup in vacuum assisted delivery. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized comparative trial. Women who required vacuum assisted vaginal delivery were randomized into the Kiwi Omnicup (KO) group and the Malmstrom metal cup (MM) group. The vacuum assisted deliveries were conducted according to hospital protocol. Details of the procedure and delivery outcomes including success and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four women were recruited - 85 were assigned to vacuum assisted delivery using the KO and 79 the MM. One hundred percent delivery success was achieved with no significant differences between the two instruments in terms of maternal morbidity (P = 0.66). Six women in the MM group sustained post delivery complications in comparison to five in the KO group. Three babies were diagnosed with birth asphyxia in each group. More babies in the MM group were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (10 babies versus 5 babies) and suffered complications (14 versus 12 babies), compared to the KO group, although the difference was not statistically significant. There were no intrapartum or neonatal deaths and of those admitted to the NICU, all were discharged within a week without any serious consequences. CONCLUSION: Kiwi Omnicup is an effective alternative to the currently available Malmstrom metal cup for vacuum assisted delivery with no increase in maternal or neonatal morbidity or mortality.