Primary
outcome
was
the
proportion
of
third
and
fourth
degree
perineal
lacerations
among
episiotomy
and
non-episiotomy
groups.
Severity
of
perineal
trauma
was
classified
in
accordance
with
the
tissue
being
involved;
1st
degree
involved
the
fourchette,
perineal
skin
and
vaginal
mucous
membrane,
2nd
degree
involved
the
fascia
and
muscles
of
the
perineal
body,
3rd
degree
involved
anal
sphincter,
and
4th
degree
involved
the
rectal
mucosa.(7)
Perineal
pain
score
was
assessed
as
the
secondary
outcome
at
24
and
48
hours
postpartum
in
various
positions
including
stand,
walk,
lie
down
and
sit.
The
patients
used
the
numerical
rating
scale
to
assess
their
perineal
pain
from
0-5
(0
=
no
pain,
1
=
pains
little
bit,
2
=
pains
little
more,
3
=
pains
evermore,
4
=
pains
whole
lot,
5
=
pains
worst)