A prospective, randomised study Comparing cUrved versus straighT scissors to reduce episiotomy extension – The CUT Trial

Among women requiring an episiotomy, does cutting with curved scissors versus straight scissors affect the incidence of third and fourth degree tears

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12612000285853

Acronym

The CUT Trial

Enrollment

Registered

2012-03-12

Start date

2013-04-16

Completion date

2013-09-12

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Third and 4th degree tears occur during childbirth when an episiotomy (a cut made to enlarge the birth canal) extends to the anal sphincter. At the research hospital, higher than average rates of 3rd and 4th degree tears have been observed among women having their first child. Episiotomies are generally cut on an angle, away from the anus but studies suggest that the angle is often less than the recommended 45 degrees. One strategy to ensure a 45 degree angle and to potentially decrease 3rd and 4th degree tears may be to use curved scissors that naturally take the incision away from the anus. The proposed study will test this assumption by comparing straight and curved scissors to cut an episiotomy.

Interventions

Curved scissors to cut a single mediolateral episiotomy at the time of birth.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Prevention

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 45 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Signed consent 2. Primipara 3. >36+6 weeks gestation 4. Vaginal birth 5. Mediolateral episiotomy

Exclusion criteria

1. Women experiencing pregnancy loss 2. Multiple pregnancy 3. Water birth 4. Multiparity 5. Previous perineal surgery 6. Children under the age of 18 years

Outcome results