The Effect of Episiotomy on Maternal and Fetal Outcomes (EPITRIAL)

Episiotomy is one of the most prevalent surgical interventions at the delivery room, ranging in frequency from about 10% and up to 75%. The presumed benefits of this procedure include prevention of advanced (3rd and 4th degree) perineal tears, facilitation of fetal distress, easier suturing compared to that of spontaneous perineal tears, decreased postpartum pelvic organ injury including reduced risk of urinary and anal incontinence, and facilitation of labor in cases of shoulder dystocia. However, the cumulative evidence in the recent decades strongly points to the lack of episiotomy efficiency. Moreover, many studies indicate that episiotomy may be associated with increased maternal morbidity in terms of postpartum bleeding and pain, urinary incontinence and severe perineal tears. Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials has shown that selective episiotomy significantly decreases the risk of advanced perineal tears (relative risk of 0.67) and the overall need for perineal suturing (relative risk of 0.71), compared to routine episiotomy use. In addition, there is no uniform definition for the indications for episiotomy performance.

In accordance with literature evidence, we hypothesized that avoidance of episiotomy is not associated with increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications, compared to selective episiotomy use. Thus, the objective of our study is to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in the group with no episiotomy performed to selective episiotomy use.

This randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted in seven Northern public Israeli Hospitals from February 2015 to February 2019.

The following study protocol was constructed using consultation with experienced epidemiologist and several senior obstetricians.

Women fitting the inclusion criteria will receive a detailed explanation about the trial from one of the approved investigators and will carefully read the relevant forms. In case of agreement for participation in the study, informed consent form will be signed.

Each participant will undergo randomization into two groups:

1. Control group - in which the decision to perform episiotomy will be based on routine delivery care.

2. Study group - in which no episiotomy will be performed. Deviation from protocol and episiotomy performance in this group will be allowed only at the discretion of the obstetrician in charge of the delivery, only in cases of unequivocal benefit to the fetus.

The randomization will be carried out using computer software creating random numbers. Allocation to one of the two groups will be done at second stage of labor by opening of sealed opaque envelopes.

Mediolateral or lateral episiotomy (according to the accepted management in each medical center) will be performed during the crowning stage. The incision will be cut at an angle of 45-60º, for 3-4 cm of length.

Epidural anesthesia during labor will be administered in accordance with patient's request. Artificial rupture of membranes, augmentation of the contractions by oxytocin, the decision to perform vacuum extraction or a cesarean birth will be done at the discretion of the attending accoucher, in accordance with the accepted delivery management.

The following data will be obtained for each participant:

- Demographic and obstetric characteristics, including maternal age, weight, height and race, gestational age and pregnancy complications, clinical and sonographic estimated fetal weight.

- Delivery and neonatal parameters, including oxytocin use for labor augmentation and epidural anesthesia administration.

- Primary and secondary outcome measures (described elsewhere).

Sample size calculation was performed by a certified statistician with an extensive experience in clinical trials. It was based on the assumption that the worldwide rate of advanced perineal tears in the control group is 1.6% (according to the latest data reported at the annual Israeli Maternal and Fetal Medicine society meeting at November 2014), and that the rates of these tears in the study group is 1.072% (based on the above mentioned report of Cochrane Collaboration analysis, demonstrating relative risk of 0.67 with selective vs. routine episiotomy use). Given the confidence level of 95% and power of 80%, the required sample size is 14,842 (i.e. 7,421 women in each group).

A year after the trial initiation an interim analysis will be carried out, calculating the up-to-date rate of advanced perineal tears. Sample size will be recalculated based on this rate. In case of statistically significant difference in the primary outcome measure (advanced perineal tears) with a confidence level of 0.003, discontinuation of the trial will be considered due to demonstrated efficacy. Otherwise, the trial will be continued, and the required confidence level at the final statistical calculations will be 0.049.

At the end of data acquisition, statistical analysis will be carried out. Primary and secondary outcome measures will be compared between the two groups. In addition, the association between episiotomy characteristics (incision angle, length and distance from the initiation point to midperineum) to other outcome measures will be assessed.

Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL), in accordance with "intention to treat" concept. Data will be presented to the statistician in a blinded way, as groups "1" and "2", with non-disclosure of the number interpretation. Continuous variables will be presented as mean ± SD and compared using Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test, as appropriate. Categorical data will be expressed as numbers (percentages) and compared using the Chi square test or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals will be calculated. A two tailed p<0.05 will be considered statistically significant for all comparisons.