Perineal wound breakdown: is it time to change our practice; a
retrospective cohort study
Abstract
Objective: to identify the incidence of perineal wound breakdown, to
analyse potential risk factors that may contribute to perineal wound
breakdown and review the management of these women in a dedicated pelvic
health clinic. Design: retrospective cohort study Setting: NHS
foundation trust hospital, pelvic health clinic Population: Women who
sustain a perineal wound breakdown following a vaginal birth at our
maternity unit Methods: All women attending the clinic between February
2017 – May 2021 with perineal wound breakdown were included.
Demographics, management and postnatal symptoms were collected. Data was
accessed through electronic patient records and descriptive analysis of
the data were undertaken. Main outcome measures: rate of perineal wound
breakdown in our unit, success of surgical management of perineal wound
breakdown. Results: Over the 4 year period, 231 women attended the
dedicated perineal clinic with perineal wound breakdown, a perineal
dehiscence rate of 1.5% of all perineal trauma. Of these women, 41 had
secondary re-suturing, with the rest managed expectantly. Conclusions:
We found a low incidence of perineal wound breakdown in our unit and of
those women who were re-sutured, the technique appears appropriate as
only one woman had a further perineal wound breakdown. The dedicated
perineal clinic is a positive service for women who deliver at our
maternity unit, as this facilitates a unit to monitor changes in
physical birth trauma and allow timely and patient centred intervention.
Funding: no funding for this study Keywords: perineal wound breakdown,
perineal clinic