Opioid consumption and pain scores following perineal lacerations: a retrospective cohort study (2019–2023)
Authors' conclusion
Despite scheduled multimodal analgesia, third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations are associated with significantly higher opioid consumption and pain scores
Study context
- Population
- Vaginal deliveries with scheduled multimodal analgesia, 2019–2023
- Participants
- 14,477 vaginal deliveries
- Exposure
- Third- or fourth-degree and first- or second-degree perineal lacerations vs no lacerations
- Outcome
- Opioid consumption
Methodological detailspropensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression
- Propensity score matching
- Multivariable logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Opioid use
Each group vs no lacerationsOdds ratio (95% CI)P value
Third- or fourth-degree
3.98(3.26–4.87)
P < 0.001First- or second-degree
0.33(0.26–0.44)
P < 0.001Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Laceration distribution
| Outcome | No lacerations | First- or second-degree | Third- or fourth-degree | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opioid dose (morphine equivalents) · 24-48 hThird- or fourth-degree vs No lacerations · 15 mg vs. 7.5 mg; comparator not specified | — not stated in the abstract | — not stated in the abstract | 15 mg | P = 0.009 |
— not stated in the abstract
Pain scores · first 72 h
- Consistently higher pain scores in third- or fourth-degree lacerations
Original publication
Opioid consumption and pain scores following perineal lacerations: a retrospective cohort study (2019–2023). Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 8 October 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →