Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Mouse Model of Surgical Uterine Injury and Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes
Published on: June 27, 2025
Risk factors for severe perineal lacerations during childbirth
Vasileios Pergialiotis1, Dimitrios Vlachos1, Athanasios Protopapas1
1First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens University Medical School, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Background:
Severe perineal lacerations represent a significant complication of normal labor with a strong impact on quality of life.
Objectives:
To identify factors that lead to the occurrence of severe perineal lacerations.
Search Strategy:
We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar and reference lists from all included studies.
Selection Criteria:
We included prospective and retrospective observational studies.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Predetermined data were collected and analyzed with the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects model or the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model.
Main Results:
The meta-analysis included 22 studies (n=651,934). Women with severe perineal tears were more likely to have had heavier infants (mean difference 192.88 g [95% CI, 139.80-245.96 g]), an episiotomy (OR 3.82 [95% CI, 1.96-7.42]), or an operative vaginal delivery (OR 5.10 [95% CI, 3.33-7.83]). Epidural anesthesia (OR 1.95 [95% CI, 1.63-2.32]), labor induction (OR 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02-1.14]), and labor augmentation (OR 1.95 [95% CI, 1.56-2.44]) were also more common among women with perineal lacerations.
Conclusions:
Various factors contribute to the occurrence of perineal lacerations. Future studies should consistently evaluate all examined parameters to determine their possible interrelation.
Related Concept Videos
Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications

