Effect of boron-based gel on postpartum episiotomy wound healing in primiparous pregnant women

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the effects of boron-based gel on episiotomy wound healing and episiotomy pain in primiparous women. Material and Methods: This case-time control design, which is one of the hybrid designs included 450 primiparous women who had a normal delivery with episiotomy at Private Nisa Hospital between January 2019 and March 2020. The participants were grouped as 150 women who used the Boron-Based Gel on the postpartum episiotomy site (cases-1), 150 women who used Beta Chlorhexidine Gel (cases-2), and 150 women who refused treatment or did not use any topical gel (controls). Wound healing status was evaluated on days 2, 5-7, and 10-14 after birth along with Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge with Approximation (REEDA) Scale, and the pain levels felt in the episiotomy area were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: No statistically significant differences were detected between the three groups in terms of age and other variables (p>0.05). The mean scores of VAS and REEDA on days 2, 5-7, and 10-14 after birth were significantly different in the Boron-Based Gel Group compared to Chlorhexidine Gel and control group (p<0.001). Discussion: It was found that the use of Boron-Based Gel increased episiotomy wound healing and reduced pain at significant levels.