Episiotomy in low risk patients.

In a literature search on episiotomy in low risk obstetric patients, no study could be found comparing low risk patients who had had an episiotomy with those who had not. Evidence was sought for physicians' widely held beliefs about episiotomy, but very little information was available. Available information contradicted common beliefs (e.g., that episiotomy helps prevent rectal tears, improves a woman's sexual functioning after she has given birth, and reduces hypoxia in the low risk fetus). Because of the lack of scientific information and the public's growing resistance to episiotomy, a prospective study is needed to determine the true indications for and outcomes of this procedure.