Vaginal Laceration During DeliveryLAC-VAG-2025NCT07124676
Prospective Study Comparing Two Classification Systems for Second-degree Vaginal Tears During Spontaneous Childbirth to Assess Their Ability to Predict Postpartum Complications.
An observational study of Vaginal Laceration During Delivery, run by University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli at 1 site in Italy.
Trial summary
The goal of this observational study is to learn whether different classification systems for second-degree perineal tears can predict postpartum complications in women undergoing spontaneous vaginal childbirth. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Vaginal Laceration During Delivery
- How many people
- 482 participants
- Where
- 1 siteItaly
- Study dates
- 4 Nov 2025to 1 Oct 2028
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Women giving birth, who experience a spontaneous vaginal delivery resulting in a spontaneous second-degree perineal tear. Participants are recruited consecutively from the hospital's maternity ward during the study period.
Who may be able to join
- Female at birth
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Spontaneous vaginal delivery
- Presence of a spontaneous second-degree perineal tear confirmed on -postpartum examination
- Ability and willingness to provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Obstetric or medical conditions preventing spontaneous vaginal delivery
- Inability to understand study procedures or complete follow-up assessments
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Italy1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Universita degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" - dipartimento della donna, bambino e chirurgia generale e specialistica,
Naples, Italy, 80138
Marco La Verde, MD, researcher, +393389412266, marco.laverde@unicampania.it
About this study
Official title: Prospective Observational Study Comparing Two Classifications of Second-degree Perineal Tears in Spontaneous Vaginal Births, to Evaluate Their Correlation With Postpartum Clinical Outcomes.
The goal of this observational study is to learn whether different classification systems for second-degree perineal tears can predict postpartum complications in women undergoing spontaneous vaginal childbirth. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does the Scandinavian classification better predict postpartum complications such as hemoglobin drop, perineal pain, occult muscle injury, and sexual dysfunction? Does the De Simone classification better correlate with these same postpartum outcomes?
Read more
Researchers will compare the Scandinavian classification and the De Simone classification to see which system more accurately predicts clinically relevant postpartum complications.
Participants will:
Undergo standard clinical assessment after spontaneous vaginal delivery with a second-degree perineal tear Have their perineal tear classified using both the Scandinavian and De Simone systems Receive routine postpartum evaluation, including hemoglobin measurement, pain assessment (VAS), and perineal ultrasound Complete follow-up assessment of sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)
Read the detailed description
Second-degree perineal tears are heterogeneous injuries involving the perineal muscles without anal sphincter involvement, and their anatomical variability may influence postpartum outcomes. Current standard classifications do not provide detailed subclassification, limiting risk stratification.
This prospective, single-center observational study evaluates the prognostic performance of two detailed classification systems: the Scandinavian classification (based on the extent of the perineal body) and the De Simone classification (based on vaginal extension and muscle involvement).
Participants are consecutively enrolled following spontaneous vaginal delivery with second-degree tears. Classification is performed during routine postpartum examination by trained clinicians using both systems, with independent assessment to minimize misclassification.
Data are collected prospectively and managed in a secure electronic database with predefined validation and consistency checks. Source data verification is performed against clinical records, and variables are standardized through a predefined data dictionary.
The statistical approach includes multivariable modeling to assess the association between tear subtypes and clinical outcomes, adjusting for relevant confounders. Model performance will be evaluated using standard calibration and discrimination metrics, with predefined strategies for handling missing data.
The study is non-interventional and conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice.
- Conditions
- Vaginal Laceration During Delivery
- Keywords
- vaginal laceration, delivery
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Women with spontaneous second-degree perineal tears | Participants are women who have a spontaneous vaginal birth and sustain a spontaneous second-degree perineal tear. Each tear is classified according to both the Scandinavian (Macedo et al., 2022) and De Simone systems during routine postpartum examination. No experimental intervention is performed; outcomes are collected through clinical records, postpartum examination, ultrasound, and validated questionnaires (FSFI). |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
hemoglobin reduction
significant hemoglobin reduction (>2 g/dL from pre- to post-delivery)
Measured: within 48 hours postpartum
moderate-to-severe perineal pain
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≥ 5; (VAS; range 0-10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain); moderate-to-severe pain defined as VAS ≥ 5
Measured: within 48 hours postpartum
pathological Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total score
FSFI total score modification after vaginal laceration Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI total score; range 2-36, where lower scores indicate worse sexual function and higher scores indicate better function), evaluated as change from baseline
Measured: within 48 hours after the delivery
Secondary outcomes (1)
occult perineal or vaginal muscle lesions
occult perineal or vaginal muscle lesions on postpartum perineal ultrasound;
Measured: within 7 days postpartum for ultrasound assessment; at 3 months postpartum for FSFI evaluation.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Aug 2025
- Study start4 Nov 2025
- Primary completion1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Oct 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Vaginal Laceration During DeliveryStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 482 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Marco La Verde, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07124676
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0016346/i
- Acronym
- LAC-VAG-2025
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 28 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to institutional policies and ethical considerations regarding the protection of participants' privacy.
Publications
Macedo MD, Ellstrom Engh M, Siafarikas F. Detailed classification of second-degree perineal tears in the delivery ward: an inter-rater agreement study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2022 Aug;101(8):880-888. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14369. Epub 2022 May 11.
PubMed 35546433
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prospective Observational Study Comparing Two Classifications of Second-degree Perineal Tears in Spontaneous Vaginal Births, to Evaluate Their Correlation With Postpartum Clinical Outcomes.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07124676
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LAC-VAG-2025 / 0016346/i
- Conditions
- Vaginal Laceration During Delivery
- Keywords
- vaginal laceration, delivery
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 482 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Campania Luigi VanvitelliUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Oct 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this observational study is to learn whether different classification systems for second-degree perineal tears can predict postpartum complications in women undergoing spontaneous vaginal childbirth. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does the Scandinavian classification better predict postpartum complications such as hemoglobin drop, perineal pain, occult muscle injury, and sexual dysfunction? Does the De Simone classification better correlate with these same postpartum outcomes?
Researchers will compare the Scandinavian classification and the De Simone classification to see which system more accurately predicts clinically relevant postpartum complications.
Participants will:
Undergo standard clinical assessment after spontaneous vaginal delivery with a second-degree perineal tear Have their perineal tear classified using both the Scandinavian and De Simone systems Receive routine postpartum evaluation, including hemoglobin measurement, pain assessment (VAS), and perineal ultrasound Complete follow-up assessment of sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)
Detailed description
Second-degree perineal tears are heterogeneous injuries involving the perineal muscles without anal sphincter involvement, and their anatomical variability may influence postpartum outcomes. Current standard classifications do not provide detailed subclassification, limiting risk stratification.
This prospective, single-center observational study evaluates the prognostic performance of two detailed classification systems: the Scandinavian classification (based on the extent of the perineal body) and the De Simone classification (based on vaginal extension and muscle involvement).
Participants are consecutively enrolled following spontaneous vaginal delivery with second-degree tears. Classification is performed during routine postpartum examination by trained clinicians using both systems, with independent assessment to minimize misclassification.
Data are collected prospectively and managed in a secure electronic database with predefined validation and consistency checks. Source data verification is performed against clinical records, and variables are standardized through a predefined data dictionary.
The statistical approach includes multivariable modeling to assess the association between tear subtypes and clinical outcomes, adjusting for relevant confounders. Model performance will be evaluated using standard calibration and discrimination metrics, with predefined strategies for handling missing data.
The study is non-interventional and conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Women with spontaneous second-degree perineal tears | – | –Participants are women who have a spontaneous vaginal birth and sustain a spontaneous second-degree perineal tear. Each tear is classified according to both the Scandinavian (Macedo et al., 2022) and De Simone systems during routine postpartum examination. No experimental intervention is performed; outcomes are collected through clinical records, postpartum examination, ultrasound, and validated questionnaires (FSFI). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Women giving birth, who experience a spontaneous vaginal delivery resulting in a spontaneous second-degree perineal tear. Participants are recruited consecutively from the hospital's maternity ward during the study period.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Female at birth
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Spontaneous vaginal delivery
- Presence of a spontaneous second-degree perineal tear confirmed on -postpartum examination
- Ability and willingness to provide informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Obstetric or medical conditions preventing spontaneous vaginal delivery
- Inability to understand study procedures or complete follow-up assessments
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
hemoglobin reduction
Time frame: within 48 hours postpartum
significant hemoglobin reduction (>2 g/dL from pre- to post-delivery)
moderate-to-severe perineal pain
Time frame: within 48 hours postpartum
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≥ 5; (VAS; range 0-10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain); moderate-to-severe pain defined as VAS ≥ 5
pathological Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total score
Time frame: within 48 hours after the delivery
FSFI total score modification after vaginal laceration Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI total score; range 2-36, where lower scores indicate worse sexual function and higher scores indicate better function), evaluated as change from baseline
1 secondary outcome
occult perineal or vaginal muscle lesions
Time frame: within 7 days postpartum for ultrasound assessment; at 3 months postpartum for FSFI evaluation.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Apr 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 35546433Macedo MD, Ellstrom Engh M, Siafarikas F. Detailed classification of second-degree perineal tears in the delivery ward: an inter-rater agreement study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2022 Aug;101(8):880-888. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14369. Epub 2022 May 11.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to institutional policies and ethical considerations regarding the protection of participants' privacy.
Related trials for Vaginal Laceration During Delivery
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Enrolling by invitationObservational study
Study on Fewer Tears (SOFT) - The Effect of Local Anesthesia on the Incidence of Perineal Tears in the First Vaginal Birth
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Vaginal Laceration During Delivery, run by University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli at 1 site in Italy.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Marco La Verde, MD, researcher (+393389412266, marco.laverde@unicampania.it), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
hemoglobin reduction (time frame: within 48 hours postpartum). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07124676, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Apr 2026.