SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2005
Antibiotic prophylaxis for fourth-degree perineal tear during vaginal birth.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2005. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 8 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 8 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 31 citations in OpenAlex.
- Antibiotic prophylaxis for operative vaginal delivery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2020Pooled it
- Antenatal maternal education for improving postnatal perineal healing for women who have birthed in a hospital setting.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017Pooled it
- Antibiotic prophylaxis for episiotomy repair following vaginal birth.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017Pooled it
- Antibiotic prophylaxis for operative vaginal delivery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017Pooled it
- Antibiotics for infection prevention after excision of the cervical transformation zone.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017Pooled it
- Antibiotic prophylaxis for third- and fourth-degree perineal tear during vaginal birth.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2014Pooled it
- Methods of repair for obstetric anal sphincter injury.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2013Pooled it
- Antibiotic prophylaxis in obstetric procedures.Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC · 2010Guideline
- Risk of infection and wound dehiscence after use of prophylactic antibiotics in episiotomy or second degree tear (REPAIR study): single centre, double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial.BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · 2025Trial
- A Randomized, Open-labelled, Interventional Study to Evaluate the Incidence of Infection with or Without Use of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Patients of Episiotomy in a Normal Vaginal Delivery.Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of India · 2018Article
- Autoethnography and severe perineal trauma--an unexpected journey from disembodiment to embodiment.BMC women's health · 2015Article
- An audit of clinician compliance with best practice recommendations to repair severe obstetric anal sphincter injuries.The Permanente journal · 2014Article
Corrections and comments
- Updated by
Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundOne to eight per cent of women suffer third-degree perineal tears (anal sphincter injury) and fourth-degree perineal tear (rectal mucosa injury) during vaginal birth, and these tears are more common after forceps delivery (28%) and midline episiotomies. Fourth-degree tears can become contaminated with bacteria from the rectum and this significantly increases in the chance of perineal wound infection. Prophylactic antibiotics might have a role in preventing this infection.
objectivesTo assess the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for reducing maternal morbidity and side-effects in fourth-degree perineal tear during vaginal birth. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (30 July 2005), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to 15 July 2005), and LILACS (1982 to 15 July 2005). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials which reported data comparing outcomes of prophylactic antibiotics versus placebo or no antibiotics in fourth-degree perineal tear during vaginal birth. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: No trials were found that met the selection criteria. MAIN
resultsNo randomised controlled trials were identified. AUTHORS'
conclusionsThere are insufficient data to support a policy of routine prophylactic antibiotics in fourth-degree perineal tear during vaginal birth. A well-designed randomised controlled trial is needed.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.