Pain intensity and sexual satisfaction: a comparison of cyanoacrylate adhesive glue and vicryl for episiotomy skin closure in Kano Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Episiotomy is a deliberate incision made on the perineum and posterior vaginal wall during vaginal delivery. Mothers that have a new baby are in great need for wound care and pain relief. We assessed and compared pain intensity and sexual satisfaction using cyanoacrylate adhesive glue and vicryl for episiotomy skin closure at AKTH, Kano Nigeria. Methods: A randomised control trial was conducted among 100 women who had spontaneous vaginal delivery in the labour ward of AKTH from June to October 2019 after randomization into study group I and control group II. Cyanoacrylate and vicryl were used for skin closure following episiotomy and the patients were followed up for pain and sexual satisfaction for 14 days. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21.0 and p<0.05 was set statistically significant. Results: The mean±SD ages of the women in the study and control groups were 22.71±9.14 and 23.66±9.00 years, respectively. In group I 84% perceived no pain and 72% perceived mild pain in group II during cyanoacrylate adhesive glue procedures. At all-time intervals, pain intensity was lower in group I (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed regarding sexual function between group I and group II (p<0.001) but the difference was not significant in other cases. Conclusions: Cyanoacrylate glue compared to Vicryl was found to be effective in reducing short-term pain, the need for analgesia and better sexual satisfaction following episiotomy after childbirth.