INTRODUCTION: There is considerable variation in reported perineal wound infection occurrences and limited knowledge of postpartum follow-up for perineal injuries. The primary aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of symptoms of perineal wound infections and infections requiring medical intervention within the first 30 days postpartum. The secondary aim was to investigate perineal assessment by healthcare providers in postpartum care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This single-center cohort study was conducted between October 2020 and October 2022. In this analysis, participants with perineal tears and episiotomies following vaginal deliveries were included. Women were contacted via telephone seven to 10 days postpartum and asked about symptoms for infection recommended by the "Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Service." At 3 months postpartum, participants reported via questionnaire on receiving medical interventions for wound infection and whether a healthcare provider inspected their perineal tear. RESULTS: The study sample comprises a total of 748 primi- and multiparous women (58.3% primipara, 41.7% multipara). Sixteen participants (2.2%) reported wound infection symptoms. Wound infections requiring medical interventions were identified in seven women (1.1%), all of whom were primipara. This included five cases with an episiotomy and two cases with a second-degree tear. Half of the participants had their perineal tear inspected during the 6-week follow-up visit. Depending on tear category, between 25% and 72% of women who did not undergo an inspection would have preferred one. CONCLUSIONS: In our population, symptoms of perineal wound infection were 2.2% and infections requiring medical intervention were 1.1%. Half of the participants received a perineal tear inspection at the 6-week follow-up visit.
Risløkken et al. (Tue,) studied this question.