Abstract
When women give birth the perineum (the area between the vaginal opening and back passage) sometimes tears or it may be necessary to have an episiotomy (surgical cut) to increase the size of the outlet. Episiotomies and tears that involve the muscle layer (second degree) need to be stitched. A higher mean pain score was observed among the participant group which underwent interrupted suturing method than the group which underwent continuous suturing method. Majority of the participant who required analgesics for episiotomy pain were from the study group which underwent interrupted suturing method (z=1.3:p=0.193). Infections and antibiotic treatment were more common among the group who underwent continuous suturing (z=1.7:p=0.098). Wound dehisions were also frequently noted among the continuous suturing group (z=1.4:p=0.149). At the end of the three months of observation period more superficial dyspareunia (z=0.6:p= 0.534) and granuloma formation (z=1.2:p=0.246) were recorded among the group with interrupted sutures. When overall satisfaction was considered, most of the participants were included into the group who underwent continuous sutures. Continuous suturing technique can be used as a more cost effective technique for episiotomy suturing. Making awareness among labor room working staff and providing hand skill training for the staff members regarding continues suturing techniques appears to be more beneficial.