Background: One 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.
Objectives: To 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 results: No randomised controlled trials were identified.
Authors' conclusions: There 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.