MedPath

Perineorraphy Versus Pelvic Floor Exercise - a Randomized Trial

Not Applicable
Conditions
Perineal Tear Resulting From Childbirth
Registration Number
NCT02545218
Lead Sponsor
Stockholm South General Hospital
Brief Summary

The perineal body is commonly injured during labor. It is possible to perform a secondary repair, a perineorraphy, which aims to reduce the symptomatology after an improperly healed perineal tear. The aim of the randomized trial is to evaluate the results of such an operation compared with conservative treatment.

Detailed Description

A randomized controlled trial which aims to evaluate objective and subjective outcomes following perineorraphy compared with pelvic floor exercise after vaginal delivery. 70 women seeking help for improperly healed perineal tear following vaginal delivery, matching our inclusion- and exclusion criteria, will be randomised into two different treatment groups, 35 to operative treatment, perineorraphy, and 35 to conservative treatment, tutored pelvic floor exercise. Assessment pre-and 6 months postoperatively will include clinical evaluation and condition specific validated questionnaires. Surgical characteristics and adverse events during follow-up are also registered.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
70
Inclusion Criteria
  • women with 2nd or 3rd degree laceration during vaginal delivery seeking for help because of troublesome symptoms from the pelvic floor
  • height of perineum 2 cm or less.
  • A least 6 months post partum
  • stopped "exclusive breastfeeding"
  • no indication for other gynecological surgical procedure
Exclusion Criteria
  • history of 4th degree laceration
  • connective tissue disorder (Systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögrens syndrome, Polymyalgia rheumatica, Marfans syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
  • current use of systemic corticosteroids
  • diabetes mellitus
  • suspect occult sphincter tear on ultrasound
  • history of previous urogynecological operation

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-1)6 months after intervention (operation or start of pelvic floor training)

Patients own assessment of improvement 6 months after intervention using a seven grade assessment tool called PGI-1

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ultrasound of perineum6 months after intervention (operation or start of pelvic floor training)

Height and depth of perineum i millimeters using ultrasonography

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD)6 months after intervention (operation or start of pelvic floor training)

Evaluate psychological effects

Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PIFQ-7)6 months after intervention (operation or start of pelvic floor training)

Evaluates the effect on quality of lafe.

Vaginal symptoms6 months after intervention (operation or start of pelvic floor training)

Three non-validated questions concerning vaginal symptoms; sensation of wideness, vaginal flatulence and excessive discharge.

Surgical complicationsFrom surgery up to 6 months postoperatively

Infections.Bleedings. Other complications.

POP-Q (Pelvic organ Quantification System)6 months after intervention (operation or start of pelvic floor training)

Pelvic organ prolapse is graded via the Pelvic organ Quantification System (POP-Q) into stage 0-4. It is a validated way to clinically assess and stage of the female pelvic floor.

Pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI 20)6 months after intervention (operation or start of pelvic floor training)

20 validated questions concerning prolapse related symptoms

Prolapse Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ)6 months after intervention (operation or start of pelvic floor training)

Evaluate effects on sexual functions

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Södersjukhuset

🇸🇪

Stockholm, Sweden

Södersjukhuset
🇸🇪Stockholm, Sweden

MedPath

Empowering clinical research with data-driven insights and AI-powered tools.

© 2025 MedPath, Inc. All rights reserved.