Analgesic use after vaginal delivery in women with perineal lacerations: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate opioid consumption among parturients with varying degrees of perineal lacerations.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of women who delivered vaginally at our institution from 1 January 2014 to 12 April 2015. We collected information regarding the degree of perineal lacerations (no lacerations, first-/second-degree, third-/fourth-degree), analgesic consumption, and postpartum pain scores. The primary outcome was opioid use from 0–48?h postpartum. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to test for the association of laceration severity with opioid use.

Results: We included 5598 women in the analysis; 1948 had no lacerations, 3434 had first-/second-degree lacerations, and 216 had third-/fourth-degree lacerations. In univariate analysis, parturients with third-/fourth-degree lacerations had significantly higher use of opioids within 48?h postpartum (53.2%) compared to women with no lacerations (30.03%) or first-/second-degree lacerations (28.6%) (p?p?p?p?Conclusion: The use of opioids and opioid doses are higher in women with third-/fourth-degree perineal lacerations compared to those with first-/second-degree or no lacerations.