A comparative study of three layered interrupted suturing versus continuous subcuticular suturing in episiotomy closure

Authors

  • Rachna Chaudhary Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Shubhangi Sharma Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Shakun Singh Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Vandana Dhama Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20220898

Keywords:

Episiotomy, Subcuticular, Interrupted suturing, VAS scale

Abstract

Background: Episiotomy is a surgically planned incision on the perineum and posterior vaginal wall during the second stage of labour. There are various types of episiotomy like midline, mediolateral, lateral and J-shaped. There are various maternal and fetal benefits of episiotomy like reduction in perineal injuries, preservation of pelvic floor muscle function and cranial protection etc. There are various ways of suturing of episiotomy like three layered interrupted suturing, single knot type, three layered subcuticuler and continuous subcuticular technique. Perineal pain is the most common complaint after episiotomy. Objective of the study was to compare between the two episiotomy suturing techniques, one is traditional three layered interrupted technique and the other is continuous subcuticular technique.

Methods: It is prospective comparative interventional study conducted in department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel (SVBP) Hospital, Meerut from January 2020 to July 2021. In this study, 100 primigravida who delivered vaginally with the aid of episiotomy in the hospital were included. The episiotomy of 50 patients were sutured by three layered interrupted technique (control) and 50 patients episiotomy were sutured by continuous subcuticular technique (cases). Both groups were compared in view of duration of surgery in minutes, amount of suture material used, and post-operative pain within 12 hours and within 48 hours of delivery and delayed complication if any.

Results: The duration of surgery was significantly lower in the continuous subcuticular technique (9.94±1.17 min) p value <0.0001 as compared to three layered interrupted technique (13.04±1.38 min). The amount of suture material used is less in continuous group (81.18±5.61 cm) as compared to control group (85.22±5.40 cm) p value <0.0004. There was no need of extra use of local analgesia (p<0.0061) and patient had less post-operative pain at 12 hrs and 48 hrs of delivery in continuous subcuticular group (p<0.0001). There was not any delayed complication seen in continuous group.

Conclusions: From my study it is concluded that continuous subcuticular episiotomy suturing technique is better than three layered traditional technique as it require less time, less suture material, less local analgesia and associated with less pain experience and complication.

Author Biographies

Rachna Chaudhary, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

Professor

Department of Obstetrics and gynaecology

Shubhangi Sharma, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

junior Resident 3

department of Obstetrics and gynaecology

Shakun Singh, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

Professor

Department of Obstetrics and gynaecology

Vandana Dhama, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. L. R. M. Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

Professor

Department of Obstetrics and gynaecology

References

Dash S, Nanda SS, Behera A, Mishra B. Continuous versus interrupted sutures for episiotomy wound and perineal tear repair. Scholars J. Applied Med Sci. 2013;1(6):710-3.

Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, Dashe JS, Hoffman BL, Casey BM. Williams Obstetrics. 25th edition. Indications and types of episiotomy. 2016.

Thukral P., Mendiratta S, Bhol G. A comparative study of subcuticular and interrupted stitches for episiotomy. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2018;7:5107-10.

Valenzuela P, Saiz Puente MS, Valero JL, Azorin R, Ortega R, Guijarro R. Continuous versus interrupted sutures for repair of episiotomy or second degree perineal tears: a randomised controlled trial. BJOG. 2009;116(3):436-41.

Ghareeb MA, Abd Elhameid AA, Lashin ME, Soliman LE. Interrupted Versus Continiuous Suturing of Episiotomy: A Comparative Study. ZUMJ. 2020;26(2):287-96.

Kokanali D, Ugur M, Kuntay Kokanali M, Karayalcin R, Tonguc E. Continuous versus interrupted episiotomy repair with monofilament or multifilament absorbed suture materials: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2011;284(2):275-80.

Kettle C, Dowswell T, Ismail KM. Continuous and interrupted suturing techniques for repair of episiotomy or second- degree tears. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. John Wiley and Sons. 2012;14.

Perveen F, Shabbir T. Perineal repair: comparison of suture materials and suturing techniques. J Surg Pak. 2009;14(1):23-8.

Hasanpoor S, Bani S, Shahgole R, Gojazadeh M. The effects of Continuous and Interrupted Episiotomy repair on pain severity and rate of perineal repair: A controlled randomized clinical trial. JCS. 2012;1(3):165-71.

Jena L, Kanungo S. A comparative study of continuous versus interrupted suturing for repair of episiotomy or second degree perineal tear. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2015;4:52-5.

Samal SK, Rathod S. Comparative analysis of continuous and interrupted suturing techniques for repair of episiotomy or second degree perineal tear. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2017;6:1002.

Morano S, Mistrangelo E, Pastorino D, Lijoi D, Costantini S, Ragini N. A randomized comparison of suturing techniques for episiotomy and laceration repair after spontaneous vaginal birth. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2006;13(5):457-62.

Banninger U, Buhrig H, Schreiner WE. A comparison between chromic catgut and polyglycolic acid sutures in episiotomy repair. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 1978;38:30.

Downloads

Published

2022-03-25

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles