Continuous versus interrupted sutures for repair of episiotomy or seconddegree perineal tears: A randomised controlled trial

Dr. Deepti Shrivastava; Dr. Someraj Sarkar

Volume : VI, Issue : VI, June - 2017

Continuous versus interrupted sutures for repair of episiotomy or seconddegree perineal tears: A randomised controlled trial

Dr. Deepti Shrivastava, Dr. Someraj Sarkar

Abstract :

Aim: To determine the outcome of continuous versus interrupted method of episiotomy stitching. Study design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Study conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru medical college and AVB Rural hospital. Duration: From 2nd Dec 2016 to 1st April 2017. Total duration of study was 6 months. Subjects and methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at AVB Rural hospital. over a period of 6 months. A total of 200 patients delivering singleton fetus and having episiotomy were included in this study and were divided into two groups; one with interrupted stitching of episiotomy and another with continuous stitching of episiotomy, involving the vagina, perineum, and subcutaneous tissues. The other group had continuous, locking sutures of the vagina, interrupted sutures in the perineal muscles, and interrupted transcutaneous sutures. The threads used for stitching were identical in both groups. Main outcome measures The participants were questioned regarding the sensation of pain and the use of painkillers on the second and the tenth days, and 3 months postpartum. Results When comp� the group with continuous suture to the group with interrupted sutures, the differences included less repair time (1 minute; P = 0.017) and less suture material used (relative risk [RR], 3.2, 95% CI: 2.6–4.0). The comparison of pain on the second and tenth days, and 3 months postpartum were not statistically different between the two techniques Conclusions Although we did not demonstrate that one technique was better than the other in the incidence of pain in the short or long term, we showed that episiotomy and perineal tear repairs with continuous suturing were quicker and used less suture material without an increase in complication than interrupted suturing