Introduction: Episiotomy is one of the most common obstetrical operations and needs special care. Problems after episiotomy include inflammation, edema, dehiscence and perineal pain. Aloe vera has wound healing effect but few studies were performed about healing effect of this planet in wound healing of episiotomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Aloe vera ointment on wound healing of episiotomy among primiparous women.
Methods: The study was carried out using a randomized control trial method on 74 primiparous women who referred to Lolagar hospital of Tehran in 2010. Subjects were selected with random allocation method. The case group consisted of 37 women that consumed Aloe vera ointment and control group consisted of 37 women that consumed hospital’s routine care (Povidone Iodine). After delivery, Aloe vera ointment was used in case groups and routine hospital cares in control group to scrub the episiotomy area every 8 hours for 5 days. The data collection instruments were demographic questionnaire and REEDA scale. Perineal wound healing was evaluated using REEDA Scale within 4 hours after childbirth before intervention and 5 days after intervention in two groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 16, chi-square, Kruskal-wallis, and independent t-test. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: No significant differences were seen between two groups in point of demographic characteristic and other intervening variables before the intervention. The REEDA score was 1.62±0.92 in experimental group and 3.48±1.77 in control group that the difference was statistically significant (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Aloe vera ointment significantly increases wound healing of episiotomy, because this compound has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.