Evaluation of Episcissors-60

An Evaluation of Episcissors-60

Project lead: Dr. Paul Auyk (The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

Perineal tears occur in 9 out of 10 women having a vaginal birth.  In 1 in 20 women, the tear extends to involve the anal sphincter (3rd degree) or anorectal mucosa (4th degree). These more serious injuries constitute Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASI) and are more likely to lead to long-term serious morbidity. There is evidence that an episiotomy located 60 degrees away from the midline can reduce the risk of OASI.

The Episcissors-60 have been designed to guide an accurate mediolateral episiotomy at 60 degrees. These scissors have been the subject of a NICE Medtech Innovation Briefing and have been identified by NHS England as eligible for the new Innovation Technology Tariff.

Analysis

An evaluation was carried out in the NENC region and the work has now been published: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries before and after the introduction of the Episcissors-60: A multi-centre time series analysis