Could subcutaneous rifampicin administration be an effective approach for reducing episiotomy infections?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this prospective cross-sectional study was to investigate whether cleaning the episiotomy line with rifampicin solution before suturing will reduce infection and wound dehiscence in women who had vaginal delivery with episiotomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 400 primigravida patients. In the study group, irrigation with rifampicin of the subcutaneous tissue of the episiotomy incision was applied, and in the control group, there was no irrigation. Patients were evaluated for infection at the 1st, 3rd week, and 1-month controls. The groups were compared according to episiotomy infection and wound dehiscence rates.

RESULTS

The episiotomy infection rate of the whole group was 8.5%, the wound dehiscence rate was 3.75%, and the average time of occurrence of the infection was 5.35±2.21 days. The most common infection findings were local pain and purulent discharge at 4.75%. In the control group, where the infection occurred earlier, the infection and wound dehiscence rates were significantly higher [11.5% vs. 5.5%; 6.0% vs. 1.5% (p<0.05)]. Purulent discharge was the most common finding in the control group, and local pain in the study group, but no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of findings (p<0.05). When only the patients who developed episiotomy infection were evaluated among themselves, the only significant difference was found in wound dehiscence, which was higher in the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the high rates of episiotomy in our country, subcutaneous irrigation with rifampicin is a good option that can be kept in the foreground due to its low cost and ease of application.