What are the complications of episiotomy stitches?

Question

Hello doctor,

I gave birth last year. And I have an episiotomy. In the following months, I had no problem. But this month, I felt something near my anus. It has a small lump, and it feels uncomfortable. I do not have blood or any liquid near my stitch. So I want to ask if it is normal. Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Episiotomy stitching matters. When these stitches in episiotomy were healing, you could not touch or feel them more frequently, and the process took time to heal. In the process of episiotomy, cut space is stitched in layers and tries to reshape near to natural anatomy, although minor difference remains. After complete healing, gradually local place approximates its texture, but sometime any lesion could remain. You have mentioned it is near the anus, so make sure it is not from any hemorrhoids. If you are sure, in a complicated episiotomy that goes towards the anus, there could be some stiffness or curve due to forced approximation, as the skin near the anus is soft, flexible, and stretchable and could give a wavy appearance to the skin after healing. Have local perineal exercises and olive oil massage gently after a warm sitz bath. It is better to have one local examination by a general surgeon.

Thank you.