title: Effect of different episiotomy techniques on perineal pain and sexual activity 3 months after delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of different episiotomy techniques on pain perception 3 months after delivery is unknown. Study aims were to explore the association between different episiotomy techniques and perineal pain 3 months after delivery and to assess female sexual activity in relation to episiotomy technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective observational study, designed to investigate short- and long-term complications of different episiotomy techniques. All 300 participants were recruited and clinically examined during their postpartum hospital stay in order to evaluate episiotomy performance. A 3-month follow-up questionnaire addressing pain, sexual activity, and puerperal wound infection was distributed to 208 women who had scored perineal pain in a personal interview the first day after delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A response rate of 87.7 % was obtained. We found no difference in pain score distribution by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) when comparing midline, mediolateral, and lateral episiotomy techniques (p = 0.32) or between midline and lateral incision points (p = 0.58). Dyspareunia was reported by 33 out of 179 women, but no difference between episiotomy techniques (p = 0.90), or between episiotomy incision points (p = 0.14), was found. Perineal wound infection was reported by 9.5 %, but there was no significant difference between episiotomy techniques (p = 0.73).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference was found in perineal pain perception 3 months postpartum between different episiotomy techniques or when comparing midline and lateral incision points. Dyspareunia was not associated with any particular episiotomy technique or incision point.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Postboks 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway, kathrif@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kathrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fodstad
authors.forename: Anne Cathrine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Staff
authors.forename: Katariina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010502:Perineum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult