The effects of surgical intervention on perineal pain after vaginal delivery

Objective: To investigate the effects of surgical intervention on the incidence of postpartum perineal pain. Methods: 866 women who had vaginal delivery in the Obstetrics and Gynecology ward, Xuanwu Hospital during January 2009 and October 2009 were surveyed. According to the degrees of tears and types of episiotomies, they were divided into four groups: group I with an intact perineum or first-degree tears (184); group IIwith second-degree tears (266); group III with a mediolateral cut (359), and group IV with a midline cut (42). The incidence of perineal pain at 1 to 3 days postpartum was calculated for the four groups. In addition, the parturients (866) were randomized into 3 groups receiving physiotherapy, medication, and physiotherapy plus medication respectively. The incidence of perineal pain was compared among the three groups. Results: The incidence of perineal pain among the four groups at 1 day postpartum was 34% (group I), 42% (group II), 94% (group III), and 55% (Group IV); 2 days postpartum was 25% (group I), 32% (group II), 81% (group III), and 35% (Group IV); and 3 days postpartum was11% (group I), 22% (groupII), 61% (group III), and 18% (group IV). The incidence of perineal pain for the surgical intervention groups was higher than the tears groups. Especially, the incidence of perineal pain for the mediolateral cut group was higher than the other three groups. The frequency of perineal pain was not statistically different among the three groups receiving different treatments. Conclusion: Surgical intervention is a common cause for the perineal pain after vaginal delivery. It is recommended to select the adequate type of episiotomy according to the guidelines to decrease the incidence of postpartum perineal pain.