title: Impact of chromic catgut versus polyglactin 910 versus fast-absorbing polyglactin 910 sutures for perineal repair: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of our study was to compare the impact of 3 suture materials on perineal pain and on resumption of sexual intercourse.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized, controlled trial compared 3 types of suture materials (chromic catgut, polyglactin 910, fast-absorbing polyglactin 910) for second-degree perineal laceration or uncomplicated episiotomy. Patients were enrolled in early labor and assigned randomly to 1 of the 3 suture materials. Pain was evaluated at 48 hours, 6 weeks, and 3 months. The study subjects were questioned about residual perineal pain, resumption of sexual activity, and pain-free sexual intercourse. Logistic regression analyses were undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 192 patients who were assigned randomly to groups, 66 patients had their perineal laceration repaired with chromic catgut; 60 patients had repair with polyglactin 910, and 66 patients had repair with fast-absorbing polyglactin 910. At 48 hours, there was no significant difference according to the pain measurement scores, but the median consumption of analgesics was significantly lower with fast-absorbing polyglactin 910 than with standard polyglactin 910. There was no difference in the resumption of sexual intercourse at 6 weeks after the delivery between chromic catgut (42%) compared with standard polyglactin 910 group (56%; P = .23). However, it was more frequent for women in the fast-absorbing polyglactin 910 group (66%; P = .02). After adjustment for confounding variables, perineal repair with fast-absorbing polyglactin 910 was associated with a higher rate of sexual intercourse (odds ratio, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.07-6.10) and a higher rate of pain-free sexual intercourse (odds ratio, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.03-6.10) at 6 weeks after delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fast-absorbing polyglactin 910 for perineal repair is associated with earlier resumption of sexual intercourse when compared with chromic catgut.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leroux
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bujold
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000328:Adult; D002398:Catgut / Q000592:standards*; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010502:Perineum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011098:Polyglactin 910 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013537:Sutures; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011098:Polyglactin 910