Continuous versus interrupted sutures for episiotomy wound repair

ABSTRACT

To compare continuous suturing technique with interrupted method for the procedure of Episiotomy. A comparative study. Gynaecology Unit 2, Bhawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur, from January 2008 to December 2009. Patients were randomized into two groups; One group [C] was repaired with continuous, non-locking sutures involving the vagina, perineum and subcutaneous tissues for skin. The other group [I] with the same match had continuous locking sutures of vagina, interrupted sutures in the perineal muscles and interrupted transcutaneous sutures for skin. The threads used for stitching were identical in both the groups. The participants were asked about pain during defecation, urination, in sitting position and during movement, the use of analgesics on the 2[nd], 10[th] day and 3 months postpartum. A total of 547 women underwent vaginal deliveries with episiotomies. Less repair time [one minute - p=0.017] was noted in continuous technique group and suture material consumed was also less [RR 3.2, 95% CI 2.6-4.0]. The comparison of pain on the 2[nd], 10[th] day and 3 months after delivery showed no significant difference between two techniques [RR 1.08, 95% CI0.74-1.57, RR, 0.96, 95% CI 0.59-1.55 and RR, 0.68, 95% CI0.19-2.46 respectively]. There was no difference between the severity of pain in short and long term period in both the techniques. Repair with continuous suturing was quicker and less suture material was used in comparison with interrupted suturing.