[What measures of perineal protection at birth are consensual in France? Results of a Delphi survey].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate expert's opinion in order to obtain a consensus on the different measures of perineal protection at the time of vaginal delivery.

METHODS: A survey using the Delphi method was carried out with a panel of French obstetricians, urogynecologists and midwives. The questionnaire included 22 questions grouped into four groups: expulsive efforts, indications of episiotomy, episiotomy repair and other forms of perineal protection. The experts had to answer on a 9-point scale, both on the validity and the clarity of each proposal. After analysis of the replies of the first round, a second round was sent to the same experts for certain proposals. Each turn was the subject of two raises. To be validated, each proposal had to obtain a median equal to or greater than 7/9 and an agreement between the experts greater than 65% in the first round, and more than 75% in the second round.

RESULTS: The study was conducted between March and October 2016. Of the 300 experts initially selected, 93 (31%) responded to the first round, including 63 obstetricians (67.7%), 12 urogynecologists (12.9%) and 18 midwives (19.4%). In the second round, 72 experts replied, representing 77.4% of the experts who also answered the first round. At the end of the two rounds, 11 proposals were validated, and 11 rejected. The following recommendations have been validated. Uterine expression should be proscribed. The two modes of pushing (blocked in Valsalva and by blowing) can be indifferently proposed, in case of fetal progression and in the absence of fetal distress. The midline episiotomy should be proscribed. The medio-lateral (or lateral) episiotomy should be left to the discretion of the accoucheur. The maintenance of the fetal head with one hand must be systematic to the expulsion to protect the perineum. Repair of the episiotomy should be made (except in some cases) with a rapid absorbable suture. The prescription of NSAIDs and/or painkillers of level 2 should be preferred to reduce the pain of post-natal perineal scars.

CONCLUSION: Several measures of perineal protection at the time of vaginal delivery are consensual in France. Other measures should be studied further.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.