Comparison of Wound Repair Outcomes of Chromic Catgut versus Vicryl Sutures for Episiotomy Repair: A clinical trial

Abstract Background and Aim: A large number of postpartum women suffer from short and long-term complications of episiotomy. The aim of this study was to compare Chromic Catgut and Vicryl Sutures wound healing in postpartum women. Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial. The sample was 102 pregnant women who were randomly divided into two groups. The episiotomy wound repaired by Chromic Catgut and Vicryl respectively. 4-6 weeks after delivery both groups were evaluated for wound healing. Wound healing was evaluated using the scale (REEDA). The reeda scale consisted of 5 items including redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, approximation. The data was analyzed by t-test and Mann-WhitneyEu test. Results: The results showed that the two groups had no significant difference in terms of age, gestational age, parity, duration of the second stage of delivery, the time between the delivery and repair of episiotomy, length of episiotomy repair and education. Reeda scale average score was lower in vicryl sutured wounds (p<0.05). The mean scores of redness, edema, ecchymosis and discharge were also significantly lower in vicryl group. The approximation scores had not significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions:  According to the results of this study it seems that vicry sutures had better outcomes in healing of episiotomy wounds.