Antibiotics for Severe Perineal Laceration to Prevent Infection Following Repair
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2022-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Many women experience severe anal sphincter lacerations during childbirth, which put them at
risk for infection, improper healing, and accidental bowel leakage. This study aims to
determine if oral antibiotics following vaginal delivery in women with severe tears can
prevent wound infection and breakdown, and ultimately, accidental bowel leakage. Women who
suffer a severe vaginal laceration will be randomized to receive 5-days of oral antibiotics
or placebo pills after getting a standard one-time dose of IV antibiotics at the time of
repair. All women will have immediate, intensive follow-up with an Urogynecologist at our
well-established PEAPOD peripartum clinic at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 months postpartum to
monitor wound healing and infection. At these visits, we also will assess women's perception
of their well-being, perineal pain, and bowel symptoms. All participants will be invited to
remain in the study for long-term follow-up. Our goal is to establish whether a five-day
course of oral antibiotics should be a standard part of clinical care for severe postpartum
lacerations.