Comparison between the Adverse Effects of Interrupted versus Continuous Subcuticular Sutures for Transverse Skin Incision Closure in Cesarean Section

Cesarean section is one of the most common obstetric operations and paying attention to incision complications and determining its effective causes in reducing the complications is under serious concern. The purpose of this study was to compare incision complications of two different incision closure techniques (interrupted versus continuous subcuticular) in cesarean section. The study was performed in 2010 as a single blind randomized clinical trial on 1044 women who were candidates for cesarean delivery. The women were randomly assigned into two groups. In the first group، the skin was repaired using percutaneous interrupted sutures and in the second group، subcutaneous continuous suture was performed. Skin was repaired by 2-0 nylon sutures in all women. Two groups were compared in term of incision complications including infection، dehiscence، erythema and pain intensity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17 and statistical tests including t-test and chi-square test. P value less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Mean age of patients was 27. 8±5. 8 years. Incision complications were seen in 28 patients (42. 42%) of continuous group and 38 patients (57. 57%) of interrupted group that the difference was not significant (p=0. 152). Incision infection was observed in 21 women (4. 1%) in interrupted group and 10 women (1. 9%) in continuous group (p=0. 034). 2 patients (0. 4%) of continuous group and 6 women (1. 2%) in interrupted group had skin dehiscence without significant difference (p=0. 140). Both groups had no significant differences in term of wound erythema (p=0. 382). Severe pain was less in continuous group (p<0. 001). TheContinuous subcuticular techniques of skin repair followed less pain and infection in compare of interrupted sutures and is considered as the preferred techniques.