Outcome of continuous versus interrupted method of episiotomy stitching

Aim: to determine the outcome of continuous versus interrupted method of episiotomy stitching. study design: randomized controlled trial. setting: study conducted at fatima memorial hospital,affiliated with fatima memorial college of medicine & dentistry,lahore. duration: from 2nd may 2 011 t o 1st november 2011. total duration of study was 6 months. subjects and methods: this randomized controlled trial was conducted at fatima memorial hospital lahore over a period of 6 months. a total of 200 patients delivering singleton fetus and having episiotomy were included in this study and were divided into two groups; one with interrupted stitching of episiotomy and another with continuous stitching of episiotomy. they were followed for perineal pain on 2nd postnatal and 10th postnatal day. results: the study revealed the pain at 48 hours postpartum and day 10 was more in interrupted group ( 83% versus 37% and 57% versus 28% respectively) which was found to be statisitically significant.(p = 0.0005) conclusion: the continuous suturing techniques for perineal closure,compared to interrupted methods,are associated with less pain at 48 hours and 10th day postpartum.