“Comparison of short term morbidities following episiotomies repaired by rapidly absorbable polyglactin and chromic catgut”

Objective: To compare the morbidity following episiotomy repair by rapidly absorbed polyglactin and chromic catgut. Materials & Methods: This prospective longitudinal study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical College, Kolkata. 100 primigravida with episiotomy were divided into 2 groups Group I:CC (n=50) repaired with no 1,0 chromic catgut and Group II:VR (n=50) repaired with rapidly absorbed polyglactin and they were compared with respect to pain, wound complications, perineal edema and dyspareunia –at 2 hours, 2 days, 6 weeks and 3 months. Results: With regard to postoperative complications like pain, perineal edema and wound healing and resuturing, polyglactin was significantly better than chromic catgut. Moreover, persistent perineal pain and dyspareunia were significantly less in VR group at 6 weeks and 3 months. Conclusion: The shortterm morbidity following episiotomy repair with rapidly absorbed polyglactin is less when compared to chromic catgut suture, and is emerging as the preferred suture for episiotomy repair.