ABSTRACT

Background: Episiotomy is one of the commonest obstetrics surgical procedure. It was introduced into obstetrics practice in the 18th century there has been a declined in its rate especially in developed world. The aim of this study was to determine the episiotomy rate and feto-maternal outcome following delivery at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSTH), Oghara, Nigeria
Methodology: The study was a retrospective review of patients who had episiotomy at delivery. Case files of 119 patients who had episiotomy during delivery, during the study period were retrieved and analyzed. Nineteen of these patients with episiotomy had incomplete data in their folders, hence were excluded from the study. Details of patients were obtained from labour ward, operating theater and the case notes of these patients were retrieved from the medical record department. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.
Results: Episiotomy rate in this study was 14%. Majority (65%) of the patients were primigravida. Majority of the women (93%) had medio-lateral episiotomy and perineal pain and swelling were the commonest complications.
Conclusion: The episiotomy rate in this study was slightly higher than the 10% WHO recommendation but much lower than reports from other regions in the country. There is therefore the need to emphasize the importance of restrictive episiotomy with the aim of reducing maternal morbidity after delivery.

KEYWORDS 

Episiotomy, Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery, Primigravida, Maternal Morbidity, DELSUTH.

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Cite this article

Okhionkpamwonyi, D. O., Akhator, A., & Ogwu, R. O. (2026). Episiotomy Practice in A Tertiary Hospital in South-South Region of Nigeria: A 5-Year Review . INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH, 5(4), 337-343. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijhmr.2026.v5i4n12