Impact maternel et néonatal des Recommandations pour la pratique clinique du CNGOF relatives à l’épisiotomie. Étude unicentrique à propos de 5409 accouchements par voie vaginale

Abstract: Objectives: Recommendations for clinical practice (RPC) edited by the College of French gynecologists and obstetricians (CNGOF) claim for a more restrictive use of episiotomy. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of these recommendations on episiotomy practice and to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes of a more restrictive approach. Patients and methods: We compared in a retrospective analysis episiotomy practice, maternal and neonatal consequences of a restrictive episiotomy policy between 2004 and 2006 (before and after recommendations publication) in a level III maternity unit. Identification of risks factors for episiotomy practice in our population was based on a multivariate analysis. Results: Two thousand and five hundred and 2909 patients who delivered vaginally respectively in 2004 and 2006 were included. In 2006, fewer episiotomies were performed (43.48% vs 32.32%, p <0.0001) and more grade I and II perineal tears occurred (27.56% vs 36.61%, p =0.0001) whereas the anal sphincter tear rate remained constant (0.48% vs 0.69%, p =0.376). Neonatal condition assessed by the Apgar score was also stable. In multivariate analysis, risk factors for episiotomy already described in the literature were significant in our study and year 2006 was associated with less use of episiotomy in comparison with year 2004 (OR: 0.499; IC: 0.44–0.57; p <0.0001). Discussion and conclusion: In our institution, French guidelines were followed by a reduction in the use of episiotomy practice without increasing the risk for severe perineal tear or neonatal distress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]