Episiotomy and third-degree tears

Summary. The relation of episiotomy to third-degree perineal tears was investigated in 21 273 singleton deliveries. The incidence of episiotomy was 28.4% ( n =6041). Third-degree tears occurred in 14% (85) of the deliveries with episiotomy and in 0.9% (132) of the deliveries without episiotomy ( P <0.01). To avoid the effect of confounding factors, we analysed a sub-sample that included only vertex presentations with spontaneous occipitoanterior vaginal deliveries. After stratification for birthweight and parity, no relation between episiotomy and third-degree tear was found.