Skip to content

Promoting Optimal Healing After Laceration Repair Study

Promoting Optimal Healing After Laceration Repair Study - PALS Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02055794
Acronym
PALS
Enrollment
35
Registered
2014-02-05
Start date
2014-02-28
Completion date
2017-09-30
Last updated
2017-10-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Neuralgia, Perineal

Keywords

perineal wound, perineal tear, perineum, pain, childbirth

Brief summary

The goal of this research is to investigate three different methods of perineal skin closure during second-degree perineal wound repair and determine which method is associated with the least amount of patient pain. Null hypothesis: There will be no difference in patient pain among the three different methods for second degree perineal wound repair.

Detailed description

At the University of Michigan, there are currently two standard techniques for repairing second-degree perineal lacerations that differ only in management of the perineal skin : 1. Closure of the deep tissues and superficial perineal skin using a continuous 3-0 Vicryl suture 2. Closure of the deep tissues with a continuous 3-0 Vicryl suture and reapproximation of, but not suture-closure of the perineal skin. The primary goal of our study is to compare patient pain amongst the following three perineal skin repair techniques after second degree laceration: 1. Perineal skin closure with suturing 2. Not suturing the perineal skin 3. Closure of the perineal skin with n-Butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (Indermil®) surgical glue. In all women, the deep vaginal and perineal tissues will be closed using a continuous 3-0 Vicryl suture, as is current standard practice. Aim: To assess and compare patient pain among the three groups at intervals of 1 day, 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months postpartum.

Interventions

PROCEDURESuturing of the perineal skin
PROCEDUREClosing perineal skin with surgical glue
PROCEDURENo suturing of the perineal skin

Sponsors

University of Michigan
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Women 18 years old - 45 years old * Immediately post-vaginal birth, including forceps-assisted vaginal delivery, vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery * \> 32 weeks gestation * Second degree laceration from spontaneous tear or midline episiotomy * Proficient in English

Exclusion criteria

* \<18 years old and \>45 years old * Delivery by Cesarean * 1st, 3rd or 4th degree lacerations * Induction for intrauterine fetal demise or terminal fetal condition, or any instance where immediate status of the newborn is unknown * Known allergy to cyanoacrylate or formaldehyde * Systemic infections, uncontrolled diabetes (women with well-controlled pre-gestational or gestational diabetes will not be excluded) * History of connective tissue disorders (e.g. Scleroderma, Ehlers Danlos) * Chronic use of steroids * Currently under treatment for cancer * Previous radiation to the pelvis * Any organ transplants * History of neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer's, or other dementias * Not proficient in the English language

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Patient-perceived painPost-partum (PPD), 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months.The 2 week and 3 month measurements will be done via email, web or mailed questionnaire. Pain will be measured using 3 pain scales: a validated 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (anchors: 0 = none, 100 mm = worst imaginable), a 6 point Likert scale and the McGill pain questionnaire short form.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Wound assessment6 weeks post-partumWounds will be assessed through wound evaluation (6 weeks post-partum), wound complications (wound infection, dehiscence, granulation tissue), need for additional interventions (silver nitrate, revision of wound) and assessment of wound appearance using a validated 100-mm VAS (anchors: 0 = worst scar, 100 mm = best scar).

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026