Studying the effect of phenytoin cream on episiotomy wound healing and pain reduction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Student Research and Technology Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran

2 2. Assistant Professor of Infertility & IVF, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Mobini Maternity Hospital, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences Sabzevar, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective:
Episiotomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed to facilitate the process of childbirth. Topical phenytoin cream has antibacterial properties. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of phenytoin cream on the healing of episiotomy wounds in women who underwent episiotomy.
Methods:
This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 90 primiparous women referred to Mobini Hospital in Sabzevar in 2016. Participants were randomly assigned to either the phenytoin group or the control group. The level of wound healing was assessed on the 10th and 20th days of treatment using the REEDA scale and the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale). Data were analyzed using the t-test with SPSS software version 22.
Results:
The mean REEDA score was 5.38 ± 1.78 in the control group and 4.41 ± 1.22 in the intervention group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.003). Additionally, comparison of the VAS on the tenth day postpartum showed that the mean VAS score was 5.17 ± 1.48 in the control group and 4.07 ± 1.14 in the intervention group. This difference was also statistically significant (P = 0.001).
Conclusion:
Given the observed effects and the results of the present study, as well as the importance of promoting natural childbirth and the fact that phenytoin cream is an accessible and affordable medication with no reported side effects in any of the participants, our study suggests that this cream can be used to accelerate the healing of episiotomy wounds.

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Beyhagh
Volume 30, Issue 2
September 2025

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