The impact of mediolateral episiotomy on the incidence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) diagnosed by endoanal ultrasound

Drusany Staric et al. investigated the potential association between a mediolateral episiotomy and the incidence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) diagnosed by endoanal ultrasound.1 They found that mediolateral episiotomy did not seem to be protective against OASIS and therefore should be considered only when shortening the second stage of labour due to fetal distress and not as a means of OASIS prevention. They also reported that OASIS injuries were clinically missed in four out of six cases (33.3% detection rate).
Source: Women and Birth - Category: Midwifery Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research