ABSTRACT

None of the trials evaluating episiotomy repair clearly focused on perineal muscles. The aim of this study was to describe suture material and styles of suturing perineal muscles in Europe by using an email and postal questionnaire. From 34 European countries, 122 hospitals agreed to participate. Thirteen different types of sutures are currently used. The most common material is polyglactin 910 (70%) followed by polyglycolic acid. Fifty one hospitals (46%) use only short-term and 49 hospitals (44%) use only mid-term absorbable synthetic sutures. In 8 hospitals both types of sutures were used. The most common size of suture is 2-0 USP. Thirty percent of hospitals use continuous and 47% hospitals interrupted sutures for perineal muscle repair. In 23% of the hospitals there is not a uniform policy. The technique of suturing perineal muscles is diverse in Europe. It is unclear whether short-term absorbable synthetic suture should substitute mid-term absorbable synthetic material in the perineal muscle layer.