Bibliographic Source(s)
| American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Episiotomy. Washington (DC): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 2006 Apr. 6 p. (ACOG practice bulletin; no. 71). [46 references] |
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reaffirmed the currency of the guideline in 2008.
UMLS Concepts ( what's this?)
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Disease/Condition(s)
Second stage labor associated with:
- Nonreassuring fetal heart rate
- Operative vaginal delivery
- Shoulder dystocia
- Unusually short perineal body
Guideline Category
Assessment of Therapeutic Effectiveness
Management
Prevention
Clinical Specialty
Family Practice
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Intended Users
Physicians
Guideline Objective(s)
- To aid practitioners in making decisions about appropriate obstetric and gynecologic care
- To examine the risks and benefits of episiotomy
- To make recommendations regarding the use of this procedure in current obstetric practice
Interventions and Practices Considered
- Median (midline or medial) episiotomy
- Mediolateral episiotomy
Major Outcomes Considered
- Rate and severity of perineal laceration
- Rate of anal or urinary incontinence
- Rate of perineal muscle function recovery
- Rate of genital prolapse
- Postpartum recovery (duration of pain and time to intercourse)
- Duration of second stage labor
- Rate of shoulder dystocia
- Neonatal outcome
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Methods Used to Collect/Select the Evidence
Hand-searches of Published Literature (Primary Sources)
Hand-searches of Published Literature (Secondary Sources)
Searches of Electronic Databases
Description of Methods Used to Collect/Select the Evidence
The MEDLINE database, the Cochrane Library, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' own internal resources and documents were used to conduct a literature search to locate relevant articles published between January 1985 and May 2005. The search was restricted to articles published in the English language. Priority was given to articles reporting results of original research, although review articles and commentaries also were consulted. Abstracts of research presented at symposia and scientific conferences were not considered adequate for inclusion in this document. Guidelines published by organizations or institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were reviewed, and additional studies were located by reviewing bibliographies of identified articles.
2008 Reaffirmation
For reaffirmation of a current Practice Bulletin, MEDLINE and Cochrane are searched for new literature. At the discretion of the review committee, additional databases may be searched for particular topics as warranted. In addition, committee members identify relevant literature for review.
The Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics met in 2008 and reaffirmed this guideline. A committee member reviewed the document and new literature on the topic. The document was then reviewed by the committee and the committee agreed that it is current and accurate.
Number of Source Documents
Methods Used to Assess the Quality and Strength of the Evidence
Weighting According to a Rating Scheme (Scheme Given)
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Evidence
Studies were reviewed and evaluated for quality according to the method outlined by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force:
I: Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial.
II-1: Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.
II-2: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies, preferably from more than one center or research group.
II-3: Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments also could be regarded as this type of evidence.
III: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.
Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
Review of Published Meta-Analyses
Systematic Review
Description of the Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Expert Consensus
Description of Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Analysis of available evidence was given priority in formulating recommendations. When reliable research was not available, expert opinions from obstetrician–gynecologists were used. See also the "Rating Scheme for the Strength of Recommendations" field regarding Grade C recommendations.
2008 Reaffirmation
Each American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Practice Bulletin is reviewed every 18-24 months by a member of the Practice Bulletins Committee. The reviewer presents the practice bulletin and any new literature at a full committee hearing. The committee then reaches a consensus on whether to reaffirm or withdraw the practice bulletin.
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Recommendations
Based on the highest level of evidence found in the data, recommendations are provided and graded according to the following categories:
Level A — Recommendations are based on good and consistent scientific evidence.
Level B — Recommendations are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence.
Level C — Recommendations are based primarily on consensus and expert opinion.
Cost Analysis
A formal cost analysis was not performed and published cost analyses were not reviewed.
Method of Guideline Validation
Internal Peer Review
Description of Method of Guideline Validation
Practice Bulletins are validated by two internal clinical review panels composed of practicing obstetrician-gynecologists generalists and sub-specialists. The final guidelines are also reviewed and approved by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Executive Board.
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Major Recommendations
The grades of evidence (I-III) and levels of recommendations (A-C) are defined at the end of the "Major Recommendations" field
The following recommendation and conclusion are based on good and consistent scientific evidence (Level A):
- Restricted use of episiotomy is preferable to routine use of episiotomy.
- Median episiotomy is associated with higher rates of injury to the anal sphincter and rectum than is mediolateral episiotomy.
The following recommendation and conclusion are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence (Level B):
- Mediolateral episiotomy may be preferable to median episiotomy in selected cases.
- Routine episiotomy does not prevent pelvic floor damage leading to incontinence.
Definitions:
Grades of Evidence
I: Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial.
II-1: Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.
II-2: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies, preferably from more than one center or research group.
II-3: Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments also could be regarded as this type of evidence.
III: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.
Levels of Recommendations
Level A — Recommendations are based on good and consistent scientific evidence.
Level B — Recommendations are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence.
Level C — Recommendations are based primarily on consensus and expert opinion.
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Evidence Supporting the Recommendations
Type of Evidence Supporting the Recommendations
The type of supporting evidence is identified and graded for each recommendation (see "Major Recommendations").
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Benefits/Harms of Implementing the Guideline Recommendations
Potential Benefits
Appropriate use of episiotomy in current obstetric practice
Potential Harms
- Mediolateral episiotomy is associated with difficulty of repair, greater blood loss, and, possibly, more early postpartum discomfort.
- Median episiotomy is associated with a greater risk for extension to include the anal sphincter or rectum.
- Reported complications of episiotomy include bleeding, infection, abscess formation, and dehiscence.
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Qualifying Statements
These guidelines should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure. Variations in practice may be warranted based on the needs of the individual patient, resources, and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice.
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Implementation of the Guideline
Description of Implementation Strategy
An implementation strategy was not provided.
Implementation Tools
Audit Criteria/IndicatorsFor information about availability, see the Availability of Companion Documents and Patient Resources fields below.
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Institute of Medicine (IOM) National Healthcare Quality Report Categories
IOM Care Need
Getting Better
Staying Healthy
IOM Domain
Effectiveness
Patient-centeredness
Safety
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Identifying Information and Availability
Bibliographic Source(s)
| American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Episiotomy. Washington (DC): American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); 2006 Apr. 6 p. (ACOG practice bulletin; no. 71). [46 references] |
Adaptation
Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.
Date Released
2006 Apr (reaffirmed 2008)
Guideline Developer(s)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Medical Specialty Society
Source(s) of Funding
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Guideline Committee
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins-Obstetrics
Composition of Group That Authored the Guideline
Financial Disclosures/Conflicts of Interest
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reaffirmed the currency of the guideline in 2008.
Guideline Availability
Electronic copies: None available
Print copies: Available for purchase from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Distribution Center, PO Box 933104, Atlanta, GA 31193-3104; telephone, 800-762-2264, ext. 192; e-mail: sales@acog.org. The ACOG Bookstore is available online at the ACOG Web site  .
Availability of Companion Documents
Proposed performance measures are included in the original guideline document.
NGC Status
This NGC summary was completed by ECRI Institute on August 3, 2007. The information was verified by the guideline developer on September 10, 2007. The currency of the guideline was reaffirmed by the developer in 2008 and this summary was updated by ECRI Institute on November 30, 2011.
Copyright Statement
This NGC summary is based on the original guideline, which is subject to the guideline developer's copyright restrictions.
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