Publication:

Evaluating the effects of vicrylrapide (polyglactin 910) and chromic catgut for episiotomy repair

Background Objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of vicrylrapide (VR) (polyglactin 910) and chromic catgut (CC) for episiotomy repair.

Methods A prospective, randomized, comparative study carried over a period of one year. 200 women were included in the study after taking informed consent and randomly allocated to repair with VR group and CC group (100 each). The outcome measures were assessed in terms of postpartum perineal pain, nature of wound healing, need for resuturing and resumption of sexual activity and dyspareunia at 24-hour, 7th day, 6th week and 12th week postpartum.

Results The mean age was 24.39±2.95 (range: 19-31 years) for VR and 24.38±3.80 (range: 18-37 years) for CC group. The VR group was associated with less severe pain (31%) compared with CC group (74%) indicating higher pain intensity in CC group. There was also a significant difference in the uncomfortable stitches, urinary retention, defecation difficulty, wound indurations, and wound dehiscence (0% versus 7%) and a better wound healing (p=0.004) in the VR group. Insignificant statistical difference was noted at 6 weeks and 12 weeks (p=0.786 and 0.627) between two groups in terms of dyspareunia.

Conclusions VR is an ideal suture material for episiotomy repair compared to CC as it is associated with less perineal pain, less uncomfortable sutures and a better wound healing.