Comparison 1. Continuous versus interrupted sutures for repair of all layers or perineal skin only.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Short‐term pain ‐ up to day 10	9	4231	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.76 [0.66, 0.88]
2 Analgesia ‐ up to day 10	6	2971	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.70 [0.59, 0.84]
3 Dyspareunia ‐ up to 3 months' postpartum	9	3619	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.70, 1.06]
4 Re‐suturing ‐ up to 3 months	5	3255	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.99 [0.33, 2.91]
5 Long‐term pain ‐ up to 3 months' postpartum	4	2891	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.88 [0.64, 1.20]
6 Failure to resume pain‐free intercourse ‐ 3 months' postpartum	2	2305	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.07 [0.93, 1.24]
7 Removal of suture material ‐ up to 3 months' postpartum	6	3453	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.56 [0.32, 0.98]
8 Suture material use (used 2 or more packets of suturing material)	2	1985	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.26 [0.22, 0.30]
9 Time taken to carry out the repair (minutes)	4	2206	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.73 [‐2.24, 0.78]