Effect of Boric Acid Wet Dressing on Postpartum Perineal Healing and Pain

Perineal trauma, occurring as episiotomy or lacerations during vaginal delivery, is a significant postpartum issue associated with pain and delayed recovery. Boric acid is a micronutrient with established antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that supports tissue repair by modulating fibroblast activity and reducing oxidative stress. This study is designed as a three-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy of topical boric acid wet dressings compared to normal saline and routine dry care.

All participants, regardless of their group, received standardized face-to-face education on perineal hygiene, covering topics such as hand hygiene, proper cleaning techniques, and signs of infection.

The boric acid group receives a 2% boric acid wet dressing applied to the perineal area for 15 minutes twice daily for seven consecutive days in addition to routine postpartum care. The normal saline group receives a 0.9% normal saline wet dressing using the same procedure and frequency in addition to routine postpartum care. The routine care group receives standard postpartum perineal care without additional wet dressing.

Outcome assessments are performed at baseline (approximately the second postpartum hour), at the twelfth postpartum hour, at hospital discharge, and between postpartum days 10 and 15.

The primary outcome measure is perineal wound healing evaluated using the REEDA Scale. Secondary outcome measures include general perineal pain and activity-related pain during sitting, walking, breastfeeding, urination, and defecation assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Inclusion criteria

Women aged 18 years or older. Vaginal birth with episiotomy or first- or second-degree perineal tear. No signs or symptoms of vaginal infection. No pregnancy or postpartum complications requiring additional treatment. Able to communicate in Turkish. Willing to participate and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Third- or fourth-degree obstetric perineal tears. No perineal trauma after vaginal birth. Presence of vaginal infection. Pregnancy or postpartum complications requiring medical treatment. Inability to communicate in Turkish. Withdrawal of consent during the study. Failure to complete follow-up assessments.