Randomized trial comparing episiotomies with Braun-Stadler episiotomy scissors and EPISCISS ORS-60®

Abstract

Introduction: Episiotomy angle is a crucial factor in causation of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), which are the major cause of female bowel incontinence. Sutured episiotomies angled too close to the midline (,30 degree) or too far away from the midline (.60 degree) fail to unload the perineum sufficiently and predispose to OASIS. A 25-degree post-delivery episiotomy suture angle has a 10% risk of OASIS while 45-degree episiotomy is associated with 0.5% risk. To account for perineal distension at crowning, a 60-degree episiotomy incision is required to achieve 43–50 degree suture angles. We compared episiotomy suture angles with commonly used Braun-Stadler episiotomy scissors with the new fixed angle EPISCISSORS-60®. Methods: Ethical approval was obtained. A prospective cluster randomization design was chosen. Thirty-one patients were required in each group for a 12-degree difference with power at 90% and 5% significance. Sutured episiotomy angles and post-delivery linear distance from caudal end of the sutured episiotomy to the anus were measured with protractors and rulers. Two-tailed t-tests were used to compare the two groups. Results: Thirty-one nulliparae had episiotomies with EPISCISSORS-60®, 32 with Braun-Stadler. Mean age (25 versus 24.8 years) was similar. EPISCISSORS-60® episiotomies were angled 12 degrees more laterally away from the anus compared to Braun-Stadler (40.6 degrees, 95% confidence interval [CI] ±2, interquartile range [IQR] 35–45 versus 28.3 degrees, 95% CI ±2, IQR 25–30, P <0.0001). The post-delivery linear distance from caudal end of the sutured episiotomy to the anus was 15 mm more with the EPISCISSORS-60® compared to Braun-Stadler (35 mm, 95% CI ±2.2, IQR =30–39 versus 19.5; 95% CI ±1.3, IQR =14.75–22.25 P <0.0001). EPISCISSORS-60® episiotomies measured longer (47 mm versus 40 mm, P<0.0001). There were no OASIS cases in the EPISCISSORS-60® group versus one in the Braun-Stadler group. Conclusion: The EPISCISSORS-60® sutured episiotomies are much further away from the midline in angular and distance measures, hence at lower OASIS risk.