Table 5.
Self-reported complications within two months after childbirth (modified intention-to-treat population)
| Complications | Lateral episiotomy(n=252) | No episiotomy (n=245) | P value | Risk difference, % (95% CI) | Risk ratio (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain, NRS, mean (SD) | 2.3 (1.7) | 2.2 (1.6) | 0.82 | — | — |
| Pain, NRS ≥7 | 10 (4) | 7 (3) | 0.50 | 1.1 (−2.3 to 4.6) | 1.39 (0.54 to 3.59) |
| Analgesics* | |||||
| Analgesics, any use | 215 (85) | 178 (73) | <0.001 | 12.7 (5.5 to 19.7) | 1.17 (1.07 to 1.29) |
| Days, mean (SD) | 14.7 (9.0) | 13.7 (8.3) | 0.26 | — | — |
| Duration ≥7 days | 146 (68) | 120 (67) | 0.92 | 0.5 (−8.7 to 9.8) | 1.01 (0.88 to 1.16) |
| Wound complication† | 75 (30)† | 43 (18)§ | 0.001 | 12.2 (4.7 to 19.5) | 1.70 (1.22 to 2.36) |
| Caesarean section | 3 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Re-suturing | 14 (6) | 3 (1) | 0.01 | 4.3 (1.1 to 8.0) | 4.54 (1.32 to 15.59) |
| Fistula formation | 1 (<1) | 0 | 0.19 | 0.3 (−0.8 to 1.6) | — |
| Infection, any of below | 42 (17) | 34 (14) | 0.39 | 2.8 (−3.6 to 9.1) | 1.20 (0.79 to 1.82) |
| Urinary tract infection | 5 (2) | 9 (4) | 0.25 | −1.7 (−5.0 to 1.4) | 0.54 (0.18 to 1.58) |
| Genital infection | 9 (4) | 12 (5) | 0.45 | −1.3 (−5.2 to 2.4) | 0.72 (0.31 to 1.69) |
| Wound infection | 24 (9) | 11 (5) | 0.03 | 5.0 (0.5 to 9.7) | 2.11 (1.05 to 4.20) |
| Endometritis | 5 (2) | 10 (4) | 0.17 | −2.1 (−5.6 to 1.1) | 0.48 (0.17 to 1.39) |
| Sepsis | 1 (<1) | 1 (<1) | 0.98 | 0 (−1.9 to 1.8) | 0.97 (0.06 to 15.34) |
| Other infection | 7 (3) | 8 (3) | 0.74 | −0.5 (−3.8 to 2.8) | 0.84 (0.31 to 2.29) |
| Re-admission | 27 (11) | 29 (12) | 0.67 | −1.1 (−6.7 to 4.4) | 0.90 (0.55 to 1.47) |
Data are number (percentage), unless otherwise specified. Unadjusted risk difference and risk ratio are presented.
NRS=numerical rating scale (1-10).
*
After discharge.
†
Wound complication was defined as an affirmative answer to “describe your discomfort/complication by choosing the area/areas affected”: ticked box “wound” (supplementary material).