Decreasing of Post-Cesarean Section Surgical Site Infection: Role of Early Dressing Removal - A Prospective Randomized Study

Khlifi A1,2*, Alimi A1,2, Smida A1,2, Derouiche M1,2, Lassoued L1,2 and Khairi H1,2

1Department of Medicine, University of Sousse, Tunisia
2Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CHU Farhat Hached, Tunisia

^*Correspondance to: Abdeljelil Khlifi 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3404

Abstract

Background: We aim to compare the surgical site infection rate according to the postoperative dressing duration after an elective term cesarean section: 2nd postoperative day removal versus change every two days beyond 48 h. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized study of 400 patients who underwent an elective term caesarean section (200 in each group): Group A (dressing removed 2nd day postoperatively) vs. group C (dressing kept and replaced beyond 48 h postoperatively). Rate of SSI and the rate of patient’s satisfaction were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: There was no difference between the two groups regarding the demographic, obstetrical and operative characteristics. The postoperative SSI rate was significantly reduced when wound dressing was removed the 2nd day postoperatively (3.5% (A) vs. 10% (C) respectively, p=0.01). The average cost of the management of postoperative SSI was also reduced (p<10-3) and the patient’s satisfaction rate was significantly higher (94.5% (A) vs. 70% (C) respectively, p<10-3). In multivariate analysis, wound dressing kept and replaced beyond 48 h was an independent risk factor of postoperative surgical site infection. Conclusion: Our results suggest that maintaining and changing wound dressing beyond 48 h postoperatively is an independent risk factor for surgical site infections.

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Cite the article

Khlifi A, Alimi A, Smida A, Derouiche M, Lassoued L, Khairi H. Decreasing of Post-Cesarean Section Surgical Site Infection: Role of Early Dressing Removal - A Prospective Randomized Study. Clin Surg. 2022; 7: 3404.