Comparison between Traditional Intermittent & New Continuous Episiotomy

Objective A Comparative study of success of traditional intermittent episiotomy & new continuous episiotomy. Design Prospective observational clinical study of 200 cases. Setting Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka Material & method The study of 200 deliveries has been conducted at HAL hospital, Bangalore. Women delivering in normally with episiotomy in labour ward were randomized in 2 groups. For one group episiotomy sutured with intermittent layered mattress sutures and for other group episiotomy was sutured continuously with subcuticular sutures. Then both groups were followed for 15 days and were compared in terms of hematoma formation, wound gaping & time taken. Results Incidence of hematoma with continuous episiotomy in the present study was 0 %. It was significantly more associated with intermittent episiotomy (P=0.024). In the present study incidence of wound gaping with intermittent episiotomy were found to be 5.904.75 whereas with continuous episiotomy it was observed to be 15.733.07. Hence incidence of wound gaping with intermittent episiotomy is significantly less than with continuous episiotomy. (Pless than0.001**). Conclusions with the present study, we conclude that whereas the incidence of hematoma formation is more with intermittent episiotomy, the incidence of wound gaping is more with continuous episiotomy. However, the result of hematoma formation is not significant. Also, time taken in continuous episiotomy suturing is significantly less. The choice of episiotomy suturing should be surgeons choice.