The effect of suturing and nonsuturing of visceral and parietal peritoneum on postoperative pain in caesarean section

The objective of the present study is to assess the effect of suturing and non suturing of both layers of peritoneum on postoperative pain in caesarean section. Abstract: The study was conducted over a period of one year on a randomized sample size of 200 primary lower segment caesarean section cases. Out of them 100 underwent peritoneal suturing and 100 were left unsutured. Two different suture materials (chromic catgut and polyglycolic acid number one zero) in two equal groups of 50 patients each were used in sutured category to see whether a change of material shows any relation to the pain. The post operative pain was analysed by visual pain scoring system in first 48h. Other signs of inflammation like fever, tachycardia were also noted. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Pain was significantly less in cases where the visceral and the parietal peritoneum were left unsutured. P value is highly significant in 0-8h (P=0.0001), 8-16h (P=0.0001), 16-24h (P=0.0001) and 24-32h (P=0.0001), significant in 40-48h (P=0.0020) and less significant in 32-40h (P=0.0140). In conclusion, pain, post operative morbidity and the time required for operation was less with non closure of peritoneum. It is cost effective due to less use of suture material required. The type of suture material does not have any effect on post-operative pain.