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

Abstract

Aim of the work: To compare the continuous versus interrupted sutures as regard the time taken in the repair, perineal pain (at 48 h, 10 days and three months) postpartum, the need for analgesia up to 48 hours after delivery, amount of blood loss during the repair measured by counting surgical gauze used, drapes around the patient, and amount of blood in the suction container if present, length of threads used by centimeters, wound dehiscence and infection and the need for resuturing. Methods: one hundred seventy pregnant women underwent episiotomy in the second stage of labor in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital were chosen to participate in the study after obtaining a written consent and divided into 2 groups, group: A was repaired by interrupted suturing technique and include 85 pregnant women while the group: B was repaired by continuous suture technique and include another 85 pregnant women. Results: The results showed that a statistically significant difference could be detected between continuous and interrupted groups as regard the time taken in the repair, pain at 48 and ten days postpartum, need for analgesia, length of threads used by cm, amount of blood loss during the repair that it was higher in interrupted group compared to continuous group. Conclusion: The use of a continuous knotless technique for perineal repair is associated with less time of wound suturing, length of threads used by cm, perineal pain at 48 hours and 10 days postpartum, need for analgesia and lower VAS scores than techniques with interrupted sutures.