A Comparative Study of Pain Intensity After Episiotomy Repair Using Continuous and Interrupted Sutures

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the pain intensity after episiotomy repair using continuous and interrupted sutures.

Methodology: This randomized controlled trial no. NCT07050615 was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shahida Islam Teaching Hospital, Lodhran, Pakistan, from August 2024 to January 2025, included 86 women (43 in each group) aged 20 to 40 who underwent an episiotomy during delivery in the labor room. Group-A comprised women who received continuous sutures, while Group-B included those with interrupted sutures. Both groups had their episiotomy repairs performed with Vicryl 2/0 sutures. The researcher followed up with all patients 48 hours postoperatively to evaluate postoperative pain, using the visual analogue scale (VAS). A score of ≤3 on the VAS was considered no pain.

Results: In a total of 86 women, the mean age was 27.82±4.60 years, and 62 (72.1%) women were aged between 20–30 years. Residential status of 49 (57.0%) women was rural. The mean duration of surgery was 29.24±7.31 minutes. In patients who underwent continuous suturing, pain was noted in 7 (16.3%) patients, compared to 16 (37.2%) among those who underwent interrupted suturing (p=0.028). Stratified analysis demonstrated that, among women aged 20–30 years, continuous suturing was associated with a significantly lower rate of no post-operative pain (12.5% vs. 33.3%, p=0.049).

Conclusion: Continuous suturing for episiotomy repair significantly reduces post-operative pain compared to interrupted suturing in the early postpartum period.