Evaluation the effect of Silybum marianum ointment on episiotomy wound healing and pain intensity in primiparous women: a randomized triple blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Episiotomy is the most commonn surgical procedure in midwifery which as any other wounds can cause infection or delay in healing. The current study aimed to determine effect of Silybum marianum ointment on pain severity and healing of episiotomy wound in primiparous women referring to Shahid Nourani Hospital at 2019. METHODS: This research was done as a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial on 87 priiparous women (44 indivdiuals in Silybum marianum ointment group and 43 indivdiuals in placebo group) referred to Shahid Nourani Hospital in Talesh (Guilan Province), Iran at September 2019. After labor and performing episiotomy, twice a day for 10 days as a fingertip size of the ointment was prescribed to be topically used on the episiotomy incision for both groups (Silybum marianum ointment or placebo ointment). Data gathering was done using demographic and midwifery information questionnaire, Episiotomy healing assessment: Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation)REEDA Scale (REEDA Scale: Redness(R); Edema (E), Ecchymosis(E), Discharge from the wound(D); Approximation of the perineal tissues(A))(scale, and visual analogue scale of pain. Examination of healing status of the perinea incision was performed during first 12 h, fifth day and tenth day after labor.Kolmogrov-Smirnov test was used in order to investiagte nomrality of data distribution of quantitative data, and two- independent samples t test, Chi square, repeated measures two factorial analysis of variance and Fischer’s exact test were used. SPSS software version 23 was used to analyze data and 0.05 was considered as signifcance level. RESULTS: Both groups of Silybum marianum and placebo groups did not differ regarding demographic and midwifery characteristics, hygiene status prior to intervention (P > 0.05). Mean difference of pain severity and REEDA scale in Silybum marianum ointment group in 12 h after labor, at fifth day and tenth day after labor was significant comparing to control group which indicates decline in episiotomy pain severity and faster wound healing (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Silybum marianum ointment ointment accelerates episiotomy wound healing rate due to its healing properties and decreases pain severity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials in 10/08/2019 with the IRCT ID: IRCT201811100411603N1. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03413-z.