The use of non-surgical glue to repair perineal first-degree lacerations in normal birth: A non-inferiority randomised trial

• Published in: Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives 2021-09, Vol.34 (5), p.e514-e519
• Main Authors: Ochiai, A.M., Araújo, N.M., Moraes, S.D.T.A., Caroci-Becker, A., Sparvoli, L.G., Teixeira, T.T., Carvalho, R.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Delivery, Obstetric; Ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate; Female; Humans; Lacerations; Lacerations - surgery; Natural childbirth; Perineum; Perineum - injuries; Perineum - surgery; Personal satisfaction; Postpartum period; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Sutures
• ISSN: 1871-5192; 1878-1799
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.09.018

Surgical glue has been indicated for uncomplicated operatory wounds; however, it has a considerable cost. Non-surgical glue, a commercially available and cheaper product, has not been studied for repairing postpartum lacerations. To compare non-surgical glue to traditional sutures on perineal first-degree lacerations after normal birth. In a prospective, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial, we selected childbearing women who were admitted for normal term births and in whom skin lacerations occurred. They were assigned to laceration repair using either non-surgical glue (ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate; Glue group) or catgut sutures (Suture group). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of dehiscence >3mm. Secondary endpoints were procedure runtime, pain score, satisfaction level, and aspects of perineal repair by the REEDA score (hyperaemia, oedema, ecchymosis, exudation, and coaptation) immediately (T0), 24−48h (T1), and 7–10 days (T2) after childbirth. We included 126 women, 63 in each group, and found a non-inferiority dehiscence rate in the Glue Group compared to the Control group (T1=1.6% vs. 1.6%, P=0.999 and P