A double blind randomized controlled trial using copper impregnated maternity sanitary towels to reduce perineal wound infection

To investigate the effect of copper impregnated sanitary towels on the infection rate following vaginal delivery (VD). Single center double blind randomized controlled trial. Women aged 18 or over who had a sutured second-degree tear or episiotomy following VD. All women were randomized to receive either a copper-oxide impregnated sanitary towel (study group) or a non-copper sanitary towel (control group). The primary study outcome was the incidence of wound infection within a 30-day period from VD, assessed via telephone questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and risk factors of infection. 450 women were enrolled in the study of whom 225 were randomized to the copper impregnated sanitary towel (study group) and 225 to the non-copper sanitary towel (control group) group. Follow-up rate was 98.2%. A total of 102 women (23.1%) developed an infection within 30 days following VD, 19 in the study group (8.6%) and 83 (37.4%) in the control group (P =