EPISIOTOMY : A CHALLENGING OBSTETRIC INTERVENTION

ABSTRACTThe professional literatures on the development of widely practiced procedure, episiotomy through theyears from the first publication in 1742 are reviewed. It reveals the change in number of publication as wellas the contributors to the development of perception about episiotomy. So it consisted expression of opinionof doctors initially then the co-workers like nurses and researchers and clients or consumers themselvestoo. It concludes that episiotomies prevent anterior perineal tear but fails to accomplish other benefitstraditionally ascribed to pelvic floor damage and relaxation including its sequel and also protection ofnewboin from intracranial haemorrhage and intrapartum asphyxia. Episiotomy substantially increasematernal blood loss during delivery and risk of anal sphincter damage with their long term morbidity.There is an urgent need to restrict the use of episiotomy in vaginal delivery.Key Words: Episiotomy, Perineal tear, anal sphincter damage.