The purpose of this study is to investigate if 3 dose of oral antibiotics administrated the first day after a vaginal delivery with a second degree obstetric tear will decrease the risk of infection and/or wound dehiscence compared to women with 3 doses of placebo treatment.
Background: Obstetric tear occurs in more than 90% of nulliparous women and up to 25% subsequently experience wound dehiscence and/or infection. Some data shows that intravenous antibiotics given during delivery reduces this risk. It is unknown if oral antibiotics given after delivery can reduce the risk of wound dehiscence or infection. The study-goupe want to investigate whether three doses of antibiotics (amoxicillin 500 mg / clavulanic acid 125 mg) given after delivery can reduce the risk of wound dehiscence and infection. Methods: The investigators will perform a randomized, controlled, double-blinded study and plan to include 221 women in each arm with allocation 1:1 in relation to the randomization. The study is carried out at Department of Obstetrics \& Gynecology, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. The women will be included after delivery if they have had a second-degree tear or episiotomy. The first tabelt has to be taken with in 6 hours from the delivery. After inclusion, the women will have a clinical follow up visit after one week. The tear and healing will be evaluated regarding infection and/or dehiscence. The women will again be invited for a one year clinical examination including ultrasound. Questionaries exploring symptoms related to the vaginal tear and possible complications will be answered at both visits. The primary outcome is wound dehiscence and/or wound infection, which will be calculated using χ2-tests to compare groups. Secondary outcomes are variables that relate to wound healing, for example pain, use of painkillers, need for further follow-up, as well as other outcomes that may be related to the birth or healing process; urinary or anal incontinence, symptoms of prolapse, female body image and sexual problems. Discussion: Reducing the risk of wound dehiscence and/or infection would decrease the number of control visits, prevent the need for longer antibiotic treatment and possibly also decrease both short-term and long-term symptoms. This would be of great importance since the period after a delivery is a crucial time for the whole family.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
442
We will evaluate how many women gets an infection and/or wound dehiscence after a second degree obstetric tear or episiotomy
We will evaluate how many women gets an infection and/or wound dehiscence after a second degree obstetric tear or episiotomy
Maternaty ward, Herlev Hospital
Herlev, Denmark
Infection in the obstetric tear
We used the REEDA criteria-Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation-to assess this outcome. However, we only diagnosed infection in cases where there was clear clinical evidence, in this study defined as the presence of an abscess or significant wound discharge. In instances of pronounced redness, edema, ecchymosis, or smaller amounts of discharge, these findings were recorded as possible infection or possible resolved infection in the patient's notes as observational comment.
Time frame: Infection will be evaluated 1-2 weeks after the delivery.
Wound dehiscence
We will measure the amount of dehiscence and if above 5 mm it will be diagnoses as a wound dehiscence.
Time frame: Wound dehiscence will be evaluated 1-2 weeks after the delivery
Clinically Relevant Wound Dehiscence
Throughout the study, we noted a high incidence of wound dehiscence, characterized by a separation of wound edges (diastasis) greater than 5 mm. While some cases were minor, superficial, and without signs of infection, others were more severe. To better assess these more significant cases, we introduced a new secondary outcome: clinically relevant wound dehiscence. This classification was applied to wounds for which the clinician assessed that further follow-up was necessary based on the extent of the dehiscence, the severity of pain, or signs of infection
Time frame: 1-2 weeks post partum
Pain
Questionnaire with use of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 1-10 with 10 being the worst pain.
Time frame: 9-12 months after delivery.
Sexual problems
Questionnaire
Time frame: 9-12 months after delivery.
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Body image
Questionnaire -
Time frame: 9-12 months after delivery.
Number of patients with prolapse
Gynaecological examination
Time frame: 9-12 months after delivery.
Prolapse
Questionnaire (asking if the women have had symptoms of prolapse)
Time frame: 9-12 months after delivery.
incontinence
Questionnaire
Time frame: 9-12 months after delivery.