Objective: To assess current preferences regarding episiotomy and
management of obstetric perineal injuries used by obstetricians in
Greece, and to assess the impact of evidence-based information on
everyday practices. Methods: A questionnaire survey of obstetricians
regarding episiotomy use and the management of obstetric perineal
injuries. Results: Fifty-one percent of obstetricians reported routinely
performing an episiotomy during a normal vaginal delivery in primiparous
women and 89% reported performing an episiotomy during vacuum-assisted
deliveries. Forty-two percent of the respondents performed lateral, 44%
mediolateral, and 14% midline episiotomies. Following an obstetric anal
sphincter tear, half of the respondents recommended a vaginal delivery,
regardless of bowel symptoms. There was significant heterogeneity of
practices regarding the repair techniques of all obstetric perineal
injuries. Conclusion: The majority of obstetricians prefer to perform
routine mediolateral and lateral episiotomies, for both normal and
operative vaginal deliveries. The adoption of evidence-based information
should be implemented while considering working and cultural
backgrounds. (C) 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and
Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved
