Which postpartum tear requires episiotomy or perineal repair?

Which postpartum tear requires episiotomy or perineal repair?

• A. Cervical laceration
• B. Perineal laceration (episiotomy or tear)
• C. Vaginal wall tear that does not involve perineum
• D. Uterine laceration

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that repairing tissue after birth targets the specific area that was torn. The perineum is the area between the vaginal opening and the anus, and tears here require repair of those perineal tissues (and may involve suturing or a planned episiotomy if that tissue was involved). Tears of the cervix, vaginal wall that does not involve the perineum, or the uterus are not repaired through the perineal tissues; they’re addressed at their respective sites with appropriate suturing or surgical management. Therefore, the postpartum tear that requires perineal repair (and possibly an episiotomy-related incision) is the perineal laceration.

The key idea is that repairing tissue after birth targets the specific area that was torn. The perineum is the area between the vaginal opening and the anus, and tears here require repair of those perineal tissues (and may involve suturing or a planned episiotomy if that tissue was involved). Tears of the cervix, vaginal wall that does not involve the perineum, or the uterus are not repaired through the perineal tissues; they’re addressed at their respective sites with appropriate suturing or surgical management. Therefore, the postpartum tear that requires perineal repair (and possibly an episiotomy-related incision) is the perineal laceration.