Effect of delivery and episiotomy on the emergence of urinary incontinence in women: review of literature.

EFFECT OF DELIVERY AND EPISIOTOMY ON THE EMERGENCE OF URINARY INCONTINENCE IN WOMEN: REVIEW OF LITERATURE. Acta Clin Croat. 2016 12;55(4):615-24 Authors: Živković K, Živković N, Župić T, Hodžić D, Mandić V, Orešković S Abstract Episiotomy is obstetric procedure during which the incision extends the vestibule of the vagina during the second stage of labor. Episiotomy was extensively spread with gradual increase of rates in the first half of the 20th century and was performed medio-laterally in all nulliparous women with the idea to protect fetal head from trauma and pelvic floor from injuries. However, reports claiming that episiotomy had no such benefits were published. It was shown that routine medio-lateral episiotomy did not protect against the appearance of urinary incontinence after vaginal delivery, while the risk of anal incontinence could be increased. The role of episiotomy in development of pelvic floor dysfunction remains quite unclear. Due to the mentioned reason, restricted episiotomy approach should be accepted. The origin of stress incontinence during pregnancy is controversial and not definitely scientifically proven. Pregnancy per se and older age at first delivery may have impact on the onset of pelvic floor dysfunction. Urinary incontinence in pregnancy increases the risk of later urinary incontinence, both postpartum and later in life. Vaginal delivery is just one of the potential risk factors for devel...
Source: Acta Clinica Croatica - Category: General Medicine Tags: Acta Clin Croat Source Type: research