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Classification of episiotomy: towards a standardisation of terminology

  1. V Kalis1,
  2. K Laine2,
  3. JW de Leeuw3,
  4. KM Ismail4,
  5. DG Tincello5

Article first published online: 3 FEB 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.03268.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 119, Issue 5, pages 522–526, April 2012

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How to Cite

Kalis, V., Laine, K., de Leeuw, J., Ismail, K. and Tincello, D. (2012), Classification of episiotomy: towards a standardisation of terminology. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 119: 522–526. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.03268.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic

  2. 2

    Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway

  3. 3

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ikazia Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

  4. 4

    School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

  5. 5

    Reproductive Sciences Section, Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

*DG Tincello, Reproductive Science Section, Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, RKCSB, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, PO Box 65, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK. Email dgt4@le.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 MAR 2012
  2. Article first published online: 3 FEB 2012
  3. Accepted 30 November 2011. Published Online 3 February 2012.

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Please cite this paper as: Kalis V, Laine K, de Leeuw J, Ismail K, Tincello D. Classification of episiotomy: towards a standardisation of terminology. BJOG 2012;119:522–526.

Seven episiotomy incisions are described in the literature, although only midline, mediolateral or lateral episiotomies are commonly used. Recent research has demonstrated variations in both site and direction of the incision, and differences between the angle of incision at the time of crowning of the fetal head and the angle of the scar once the wound has been repaired. We review this evidence and suggest that this variation may undermine the reliability of much published work. We suggest a standardised definition of each type of episiotomy to establish uniformity going forward, so that future studies are amenable to comparison and meta-analysis.

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