Effect of a combination of infrared irradiation and magnesium sulfate wet compress on infection and healing of episiotomy incision in puerperae

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a combination of infrared irradiation and magnesium sulfate wet compress on infection and healing of episiotomy incision in puerperae during spontaneous delivery. Methods: A total of 120 puerperae who underwent lateral episiotomy in Jinan Maternity and Child Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from January 2019 to January 2020 were used as study subjects. They were randomly assigned to group A (n = 60) and group B (n = 60). Group B received external application of anerdian, while group A was treated with infrared irradiation and magnesium sulfate wet compress, in addition to receiving the treatment given to group B. The two groups were compared with respect to perineal edema, levels of inflammatory factors, wound pain grading, degree of incision healing, incision healing time, and incidence of infection. Results: Group A patients had significantly lighter perineal edema and more pronounced pain relief than group B patients (p < 0.05). The number of puerperae with grade A healing and grade C healing in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (p < 0.05). Incision healing time and incidence of infection were lower in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of infrared irradiation and magnesium sulfate wet compress effectively mitigates perineal edema in puerperae, reduces pain, enhances the healing of incision, and lowers maternal infection. Thus, this combination strategy may have some merit in clinical practice.