Skin adhesive versus subcuticular suture for perineal skin repair after episiotomy--a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Surgical repair of perineal lesions after delivery is frequently associated with pain and discomfort, interfering with the normal activities of the puerperium. The aim of this study was to compare perineal skin repair after episiotomy with adhesive glue versus a subcuticular suture, regarding the incidence of pain and wound complications.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Tertiary care university hospital.


METHODS
One hundred women having mediolateral episiotomy at vaginal delivery were enrolled. They were randomized to receive skin adhesive (n = 53) or subcuticular suture (n = 47) for closure of perineal skin. The main outcome measure was self-evaluated pain in the 30 days following delivery. Secondary outcome measures were technical difficulties reported with the procedure, duration of surgical repair, wound complications observed at 42-68 hours post-partum and re-initiation of sexual activity by 30 days post-partum.


RESULTS
No significant differences were observed between the two groups in incidence of technical difficulties and failed procedures, pain during the procedure, wound complications at hospital discharge, self-evaluated measures of pain at 7 and 30 days or re-initiation of sexual activity by 30 days post-partum. The skin adhesive group had a significantly shorter mean duration of the procedure (four minutes less).


CONCLUSIONS
Perineal skin closure using adhesive glue is faster than subcuticular suture, and associated with a similar incidence of complications and pain in the first 30 days.
Mota
Raquel
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, S Joao Hospital, Porto, Portugal. sisporto@med.up.pt
Costa
Fernanda
F
Amaral
Alexandra
A
Oliveira
Fátima
F
Santos
Cristina Costa
CC
Ayres-De-Campos
Diogo
D
D000328:Adult; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004841:Episiotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010502:Perineum / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery
D014014:Tissue Adhesives