Objective: The present study was designed to determine the effect of vaginal cleansing performed with saline solution or povidoneiodine
before elective cesarean section on postpartum maternal morbidity and postoperative infection.
Patients and Methods: One hundred and eighty primiparae, awaiting elective caesarean section, were assigned into the following three
groups, Group1 (saline solution vaginal cleansing for 30s, n:60); Group2 (povidone-iodine vaginal cleansing for 30s, n:60); Group3
(control group, n:60).
Results: There were statistically significant differences between the 3 groups in terms of the median values for the postoperative
C-reactive protein (CRP) and fever, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (p<0.001). The median value for the postoperative CRP
level was 26.5 mg/dl, 59.5mg/dl and 62.3mg/dl in the saline solution, povidone-iodine and control groups respectively. The median
value for the VAS score was 3,4 and 4; the incidence of the patients with fever >38°C was 1.7%, 3.4% and 10% in the saline solution,
povidone-iodine and control groups, respectively.
Conclusion: Vaginal cleansing with normal saline solution or povidone-iodine before caesarean section significantly reduced
postoperative pain, fever, and CRP levels. Cleansing of the vagina before cesarean section clinically reduced the number of
postcaesarean wound site infections, and endometritis; however, the reduction was not statistically significant.
Caesarean section Maternal morbidity Postoperative infection Vaginal cleansing Saline solution Povidone-iodine
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Clinical Sciences |
Journal Section | Original Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | January 29, 2021 |
Published in Issue | Year 2021 |