The role of saline irrigation of subcutaneous tissue in preventing surgical site complications during cesarean section: A prospective randomized controlled trial

Year 2021, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 8 - 11, 01.01.2021

Derya Kanza Gül

https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.842145

Abstract

Aim: Following cesarean section, wound complications develop in 3 to 30% of the patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous saline irrigation during caesarean section on postoperative surgical site complications.
Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted between November 17, 2020 and December 16, 2020 at Medipol University, Private Nisa Hospital. A total of 230 women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were divided into 2 groups. The subcutaneous tissue was irrigated with saline solution in group 1 (n=115), and not irrigated in the control group (n=115). On the 7th postoperative day, the surgical site was evaluated for hematoma, seroma, wound dehiscence, and superficial surgical site infection.
Results: The incidences of seroma (7% vs. 15.7%, P=0.013), hematoma (6.1% vs. 15.7%, P=0.024) and superficial surgical site infection (4.3% vs. 11.3%, P=0.035) were significantly lower in the saline irrigation group, while the groups were similar in terms of wound dehiscence (P=0.176).
Conclusion: Saline irrigation of the subcutaneous tissue during cesarean section decreased the rates of seroma, hematoma, and superficial surgical site infections significantly.

Keywords

Cesarean section, subcutaneous tissue irrigation, surgıcal site infection, wound seperatıon, seroma, hematoma

Project Number

Reference number: 10840098-772.02-E.61616, Date: 17/11/2020)

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