Randomised Controlled Trial of Perineal Shaving versus Hair Cutting in Parturients on Admission in Labor
Ekachai Kovavisarach, MD*, Phuntip Jirasettasiri, MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, Ministry of Public Health
Objectives : To compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes between perineal shaving and hair cutting in
parturients on admission in labor.
Materials and Methods : Five hundred pregnant women with labor pain and no medical or obstetric complica-
tions were selected at random on admission to be assigned into two groups at Rajavithi Hospital from 1st
November 2001 to 28th February 2002. Forty two women were excluded because of cesarean section. Two
hundred and twenty-seven cases received perineal hair cutting and 231 cases received perineal shaving.
Results : The gestational age at delivery was statistically significant difference between those receiving perineal
hair cutting (39.4 week) comparing with those receiving perineal shaving (39.1 week) (p < 0.05). There was
no statistically significant difference in 2 groups for puerperal morbidity, perineal wound infection and
dehiscence. There were no neonatal infection and puerperal infection in both groups, where as both accoucheurs
and perineorrhaphy operators were more satisfied the perineal shaving group than the cutting group (p <
0.001).
Conclusion : Perineal shaving or hair cutting on admission in labor had no statistical significant difference
effect on the perineal wound infection and dehiscence, neonatal infection, puerperal morbidity and infection.
Keywords : perineal shaving, perineal hair cutting,perineal wound infection and puerperal infection.
