Prevention and Management of Obstetric Perineal Lacerations

Vaginal deliveries vary widely in the trauma they may introduce to the pelvic floor as does the management of such trauma. Labor, operative deliveries, lacerations, and episiotomies all present unique risk factors for both acute and long-term pelvic floor complications. Of these risk factors, perineal lacerations are the most commonly encountered event that women experience during vaginal childbirth. This review attempts to analyze obstetric perineal lacerations, their management, and potential prevention strategies to enhance pelvic floor health. With standardized management based on evidence based strategies and care during both delivery and postpartum, clinicians can decrease higher order lacerations and their possible sequela. This review contains 12 figures, 1 table and 36 references Key Words: episiotomy, laceration, laceration repair, obstetric, operative delivery, perineal massage, prevention, pudendal block