Prospective Study Comparing Two Classification Systems for Second-degree Vaginal Tears During Spontaneous Childbirth to Assess Their Ability to Predict Postpartum Complications.
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In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Vaginal Laceration During Delivery. Basic parameters: from 18 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Italy
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Prospective Observational Study Comparing Two Classifications of Second-degree Perineal Tears in Spontaneous Vaginal Births, to Evaluate Their Correlation With Postpartum Clinical Outcomes.
Overview
The goal of this observational study is to learn whether different classification systems for second-degree perineal tears can predict postpartum complications in women undergoing spontaneous vaginal childbirth. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the Scandinavian classification better predict postpartum complications such as hemoglobin drop, perineal pain, occult muscle injury, and sexual dysfunction? Does the De Simone classification better correlate with these same postpartum outcomes? Researchers will compare the Scandinavian classification and the De Simone classification to see which system more accurately predicts clinically relevant postpartum complications. Participants will: Undergo standard clinical assessment after spontaneous vaginal delivery with a second-degree perineal tear Have their perineal tear classified using both the Scandinavian and De Simone systems Receive routine postpartum evaluation, including hemoglobin measurement, pain assessment (VAS), and perineal ultrasound Complete follow-up assessment of sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)
Detailed description
Second-degree perineal tears are heterogeneous injuries involving the perineal muscles without anal sphincter involvement, and their anatomical variability may influence postpartum outcomes. Current standard classifications do not provide detailed subclassification, limiting risk stratification.
This prospective, single-center observational study evaluates the prognostic performance of two detailed classification systems: the Scandinavian classification (based on the extent of the perineal body) and the De Simone classification (based on vaginal extension and muscle involvement).
Participants are consecutively enrolled following spontaneous vaginal delivery with second-degree tears. Classification is performed during routine postpartum examination by trained clinicians using both systems, with independent assessment to minimize misclassification.
Data are collected prospectively and managed in a secure electronic database with predefined validation and consistency checks. Source data verification is performed against clinical records, and variables are standardized through a predefined data dictionary.
The statistical approach includes multivariable modeling to assess the association between tear subtypes and clinical outcomes, adjusting for relevant confounders. Model performance will be evaluated using standard calibration and discrimination metrics, with predefined strategies for handling missing data.
The study is non-interventional and conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice.
Primary outcome measures
- hemoglobin reduction [Time frame: within 48 hours postpartum]
- moderate-to-severe perineal pain [Time frame: within 48 hours postpartum]
- pathological Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total score [Time frame: within 48 hours after the delivery]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- occult perineal or vaginal muscle lesions [Time frame: within 7 days postpartum for ultrasound assessment; at 3 months postpartum for FSFI evaluation.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Female at birth
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Spontaneous vaginal delivery
- Presence of a spontaneous second-degree perineal tear confirmed on -postpartum examination
- Ability and willingness to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Obstetric or medical conditions preventing spontaneous vaginal delivery
- Inability to understand study procedures or complete follow-up assessments
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Italy · 1 center
- Universita degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" - dipartimento della donna, bambi — Naples
Publications
- Macedo MD, Ellstrom Engh M, Siafarikas F. Detailed classification of second-degree perineal tears in the delivery ward: an inter-rater agreement study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2022 Aug;101(8):880-888. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14369. Epub 2022 May 11. PMID 35546433
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07124676 · 0016346/i