Introduction:

The Epi-no device was created in order to achieve a vaginal and perineal dilation for its adaptation to fetal descent in childbirth. It also serves to increase perineal toning in the postpartum.

Objective:

To know the functioning and effectiveness of the Epi-no device in the prevention of perineal damage due to childbirth.

Methodology:

Bibliographic review in PubMed, Scielo, CUIDEN and Cochrane databases, limiting the search to articles published in the last 10 years, in Spanish, English or Portuguese, with women during the perinatal and postpartum period.

Results:

There is controversy in the studies on the effects attributable to the device in terms of greater perineal compliance, intact perineum, decrease in the rate of episiotomies, shortening of the second stage of labor and need for instrumentation.

Conclusions:

There is not enough scientific evidence about its usefulness and efficacy, nor dissemination among health professionals.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )