A two years retrospective review of episiotomy at Jimma Teaching Hospital, southwestern Ethiopia.

Episiotomy is one of the most commonly performed obstetric interventions. The practice has been on the rise since hospital confinement became the tradition of childbirth. Unlike the rising cesarean section rate the rise in episiotomy rate has not been challenged. There is evidence that episiotomy rate of over 30% is not acceptable and it should be done on selective basis than routinely. A retrospective review of all deliveries that took place at Jimma teaching Hospital from Sept 23, 1998 to Sept 23, 2001 was done to determine the episiotomy rate and factors influencing the practice. The overall incidence of episiotomy among 2861 vaginal deliveries was 25%. The incidence of episiotomy by specific procedure was: 6 out of 21 forceps deliveries (29%), 30 out of 101(30%) vacuum deliveries and 8 out of 71(11%) destructive deliveries. 47% of nulliparas and 5% of multiparas needed episiotomy. The mean ages of patruents delivering by episiotomy and spontaneous vertex delivery were 22 +/- 4 and 26 +/- 6 years respectively. The difference was significant (p < 0.0001). There was not statistically significant difference in mean birth weight, head circumference and gestational age between the two groups. The incidence of episiotomy in this study was low compared to the findings of other studies from both developing and developed countries. Similar studies are warranted in other hospitals of the country to address the practice pattern. Prospective studies should be done to establish indications and outcomes of episiotomy.