European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare continuous suturing technique with interrupted method for the procedure of Episiotomy and second degree perineal tear following vaginal delivery. It was a comparative prospective study conducted in department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of M.K.C.G. Medical college, Berhampur , Odisha, India, from November 2021 to November 2022. Patients were randomized into two groups; One group (A) was repaired with  continuous, non-locking sutures involving the vaginal mucosa, perineal muscles and subcutaneous tissues for skin following delivery. The other group (B) with the same match had continuous locking sutures of vaginal mucosa, interrupted sutures in the perineal muscles and interrupted transcutaneous sutures for skin. The sutures used were absorbable (chromic catgut) and identical in both the groups. The participants were asked about pain in sitting position and during movement, the use of analgesics on the 2^nd, 10th day and 6weeks postpartum. A total of 700  women underwent vaginal deliveries with episiotomies and/or with second degree perineal tear. Less repair time (five minute - p=0.0001) was noted in continuous technique group and suture material consumed was also less (1 suture RR 3.10, 95% CI: 2.63-3.65). The comparison of pain on the 2nd, 10th day showed that continuous suture techniques compared with interrupted sutures for perineal closure are associated with less pain for up to 10 days postpartum (RR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.39-1.87 for 2^nd day and RR-1.23, CI:1.15-1.33 for 10^th day). There was no difference between the severity of pain in long term period [6weeks postpartum] [RR-1.0, CI: 0.98-1.03] in both the techniques. Repair with continuous suturing was quicker and less suture material was used in comparison with interrupted suturing. There was less pain in short term periodin continuous technique and no difference between the severities of pain in long term period in both  the techniques.