Vaginal Laceration may be caused by an episiotomy that tore during childbirth; or as a result of natural tear. This condition must be treated with a few stitches in situations where there are small tears. Vaginal laceration is performed by repair of the soft tissue of the pelvis following childbirth. This medical condition is graded in 4 degrees. In 1st degree tears, none of the tissue is torn all the way through the underlying muscle and fascia.

In addition to mucous membrane and skin, 2nd degree tears involve the muscles and fascia of the perineal region but not the rectal sphincter. 3rd degree tears extend through the skin, perineal region, mucous membrane, as well as rectal sphincter. In 4th degree tears, all layers are completely separated extending through the rectal mucosa to expose the rectal lumen. In lesser-degree tears, some tissue of some of the layers remains connected, so that the soft tissue surrounding the vagina is at least partially intact; in the 4th degree tear it is not.

Repair of vaginal laceration is performed by an obstetrician-gynecologist, general surgeons. The surgery is done wherever the baby is born, if location is appropriate. Complications such as infection, damage to the bladder sphincters and rectal problems are usually associated with an episiotomy.

This entry was filed under Diseases and Conditions.

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