The Effect of Local Gentamicin Solution on Episiotomy Healing: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Episiotomy is the most common obstetrical surgery that like any other wound can be infected or cause delayed healing. Delay in episiotomy wound healing increases the risk of infection and poor anatomic results and this infection can lead to serious complications and even maternal death. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of local gentamicin solution on episiotomy healing. This randomized clinical trial was carried out on 80 primiparous mothers in Ahvaz Sina hospital، Iran in 2013. Before repair، episiotomy site was irrigated with diluted gentamicin solution in case group (n=40) and normal saline in control group (n=40). Episiotomy incision healing was assessed using REEDA scale at 12 hour، 3 and 10 days after the repair. In this scale، lower scores indicate better wounds healing. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11. 5 and independent t-test. P value less than 0. 05 was considered significant. The average score of wound healing in case group was significantly lower than control group at 12 hour (p=0. 002)، 3 and 10 days (p=0. 019، P=0. 03، respectively) after delivery that showed better wound healing in case group. Gentamicin solution has a significant effect on better and faster healing of episiotomy wound; Hence، it can be used to accelerate episiotomy wound healing.