SUMMARY Episiotomy breakdown is an important cause of morbidity during the postnatal period. There is therefore the need to determine the risk factors for breakdown,hence this prospective case control study was carried out in Benin City using University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital Benin City. Forty three patients who had an episiotomy breakdown were matched against eighty-six patient without episiotomy breakdown. The incidence of breakdown was 4.4%. Various parameters such as social demographic factors, maternal medical conditions and labour factors were assessed to determine those factors that could influence the rate of episiotomy breakdown. Upon analysis, five parameters were found to statistically increase the risk of episiotomy breakdown, these were, nulliparity, unbooked status, anaemia, instrumental delivery and labour lasting more than 24 hours