Re-stitching of a broken down perineal wound compared to leaving it to heal naturally

ISRCTN ISRCTN05754020
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN05754020
Secondary identifying numbers 9098
Submission date
08/12/2008
Registration date
16/01/2009
Last edited
20/10/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Miss Lynn Dudley
Scientific

University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust
Treatment Centre, Children's Services and Obstetrics
Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Maternity Building, City General Site
Newcastle Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 6QG
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1782 552 058/434
Email lynn.dudley@uhns.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designComputer-randomised controlled feasibility study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titlePerineal REpair following Vaginal delivery complicated by an Infected Episiotomy Wound: a feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial
Study acronymPREVIEW
Study objectivesMany women will require suturing to facilitate healing of the trauma site. However, practice varies widely between care given and established professionally agreed standards. There is limited data on the prevalence and consequences of perineal wound infection. In addition, there is only a small amount of information relating to the impact that perineal wound infection has on women's well-being during the immediate and long-term post-natal period. Anecdotal evidence suggests the number of women reporting perineal infections and dehiscence in the community is increasing; however, systems to track these complications following hospital discharge are lacking. Given that postpartum management of perineal trauma is a core component of routine maternity care it is vital that a true estimate of the problem is established using standardised definitions of wound infection and at the same time determine best practice when treating dehisced perineal wounds.

Hypotheses:
1. What is the prevalence of perineal wound infection and dehiscence in the UK?
2. What factors at the time of primary repair are most likely to be associated with perineal wound infection and dehiscence prior to discharge to the community?
3. What factors following discharge home are most likely to be associated with perineal wound infection and dehiscence in the community?
4. What are women's experiences of perineal infection and dehiscence and what types of information and support are most likely to benefit their post-natal recovery?
5. What is the best management for perineal wound infection and wound dehiscence?
6. What is the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing re-suturing of dehisced perineal wounds versus healing by secondary intention and what are the implications in terms of health benefits and costs?
Ethics approval(s)North Wales Research Ethics Committee, 29/04/2010, ref: 10/WNO03/16
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDehisced perineal wounds
InterventionThe participants will be computer randomised into either immediate resuturing of their dehisced perineal wound in comparison to healing by secondary intention. Both groups will have an independent assessment of their perineal wound at 2 weeks and 6 weeks after trial entry. Both groups of participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after trial entry.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureTime taken for the dehisced perineal wound to heal, assessed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, respectively.

An independent assessment of the primary outcome will be conducted at 2 weeks and 6 weeks using a questionnaire format, the title of the questionnaire being:
'PREVIEW' Independent Perineal Assessment 2 weeks, and
'PREVIEW' Independent Assessment 6 weeks

Mothers will also complete questionnaires at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, respectively, also assessing primary and secondary outcomes, the title of these questionnaires being:
'PREVIEW' Mothers questionnaire 6 weeks
'PREVIEW' Mothers questionnaire 3 months
'PREVIEW' Mothers questionnaire 6 months
Secondary outcome measures1. Woman's satisfaction with aesthetic results of perineal wound at 6 months post-natal
2. Pain at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months post-natal
3. Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) at 3 - 6 months
4. Rates of breastfeeding

Mothers will complete questionnaires at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months respectively, assessing primary and secondary outcomes, the title of these questionnaires being:
'PREVIEW' Mothers questionnaire 6 weeks
'PREVIEW' Mothers questionnaire 3 months
'PREVIEW' Mothers questionnaire 6 months
Overall study start date01/04/2009
Completion date01/04/2011

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit40 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participantsApproximately 250 patients
Key inclusion criteria1. Women (aged 18 - 40 years) referred to the perineal care clinic at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire
2. Dehisced perineal wound (spontaneous second, third or fourth tear or episiotomy)
3. Occurs within two weeks following childbirth
Key exclusion criteria1. Women that have not given their written consent to participate in the study
2. Women who have delivered a stillborn infant
3. Women under the age of 16 years
4. Women who cannot speak English or cannot read or write
Date of first enrolment01/04/2009
Date of final enrolment01/04/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust
Staffordshire
ST4 6QG
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

c/o Darren Clement
Research and Development Manager
Research and Development Department
North Staffordshire Medical Institute
Hartshill Road
Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 7NY
England
United Kingdom

Website http://www.uhns.nhs.uk/

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Smith and Nephew Foundation
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 24/07/2012 Yes No
Results article nested qualitative study results 10/02/2017 Yes No
Results article results 10/02/2017 Yes No

Editorial Notes

20/10/2017: Publication reference added.
13/02/2017: Publication reference added.