Health Innovation West of England has launched an exciting real-world evaluation with Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH) NHS Foundation Trust to test a groundbreaking device, designed to improve recovery for women and birthing people after childbirth.
The focus of the trial is the ‘Hegenberger Retractor’, an innovative tool that supports obstetricians in repairing third- and fourth-degree tears. These injuries, which affect around 19,000 women annually in England, can have long-lasting physical and emotional impacts if not treated correctly.
Designed by Danish midwife Malene Hegenberger and drawing on 20 years’ experience of repairing postpartum tears and episiotomies, this device is an innovative vaginal retractor that makes the suturing process easier and safer. It gently holds tissue in place, giving clinicians a clear view of the injured area and freeing both hands to focus on precise stitching.
The Hegenberger Retractor aims to shorten procedure times, improve healing, and make the experience less stressful for both patients and staff.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the results of this evaluation,” said Zoey Robinson, Consultant Obstetrician at the RUH. “We believe the Hegenberger Retractor could make a real difference, helping us perform repairs more efficiently and improving recovery outcomes.
“We’re taking a quality improvement approach to the evaluation. If the results are positive, this could be a game-changer for maternity care—not just here at the RUH, but across the NHS.”
Although used across Europe, further evidence is required to support the case for deployment of the Hegenberger Retractor in UK clinical pathways.
The six-month evaluation will explore the impact of using the Hegenberger Retractor on outcomes like operating times, blood loss, and patient satisfaction. Health Innovation West of England will gather feedback from clinicians and patients to understand both the benefits and challenges of incorporating this tool into standard practice.
The evaluation report will also provide the device manufacturer, Kimal, with a robust implementation pathway and evidence of impacts for use with future UK clients. Health Innovation West of England will develop a logic model to support scale and spread to other maternity units and a case study to share insights and learning more widely.
Alex Leach, Deputy Director of Programmes at Health Innovation West of England, said: “Innovations like this have the power to transform healthcare. By rigorously testing the Hegenberger Retractor in a real-world setting, we can ensure it delivers meaningful improvements for patients and the NHS alike.”
Severe perineal tears are among the biggest challenges in maternity care, sometimes requiring surgery in an operating theatre. These injuries can lead to pain, incontinence, and other complications if not properly treated. The Hegenberger Retractor could help address these issues by making repairs faster, safer, and more precise.
The findings of this evaluation will be published in June 2025, providing valuable insights into the potential of this device to improve outcomes for women, birthing people, and healthcare providers.
Posted on January 30, 2025
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