TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of episiotomy in current obstetric practice
AU - Cleary-Goldman, Jane
AU - Robinson, Julian N.
PY - 2003/2
Y1 - 2003/2
N2 - This review traces the clinical use of episiotomy from the eighteenth century to the present and explains why the procedure has a restricted function in current practice. The types of episiotomy are described, and the controversies surrounding the sequelae associated with the procedure are explored. The modern indications for episiotomy including the procedure's place at operative vaginal delivery are discussed. Although the role of the episiotomy in modern obstetrics may be limited, the procedure is important in situations involving nonreassuring fetal status, shoulder dystocia, and perhaps operative vaginal delivery. The optimal type of episiotomy, if any, at forceps or vacuum delivery is yet to be determined.
AB - This review traces the clinical use of episiotomy from the eighteenth century to the present and explains why the procedure has a restricted function in current practice. The types of episiotomy are described, and the controversies surrounding the sequelae associated with the procedure are explored. The modern indications for episiotomy including the procedure's place at operative vaginal delivery are discussed. Although the role of the episiotomy in modern obstetrics may be limited, the procedure is important in situations involving nonreassuring fetal status, shoulder dystocia, and perhaps operative vaginal delivery. The optimal type of episiotomy, if any, at forceps or vacuum delivery is yet to be determined.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037297230&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1053/sper.2003.50000
DO - 10.1053/sper.2003.50000
M3 - Review article
C2 - 12641298
AN - SCOPUS:0037297230
SN - 0146-0005
VL - 27
SP - 3
EP - 12
JO - Seminars in Perinatology
JF - Seminars in Perinatology
IS - 1
ER -