Publication:

To estimate the incidence, etiology and risk factors of wound infections in women who undergoes cesarean section at Kilpauk Medical College Hospital: a prospective study

Background Wound infections following caesarean section (or) gynaecologic surgery is a common complication that accounts for significant extension of hospital stays.

Methods This is a prospective analytical study, conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, kilpauk medical college, Chennai from Januray 2013 to November 2013. All cases who underwent ceaserean section were included in the study. Analysis was done in the form of percentages and proportions and represented as tables where necessary.

Results A total of 700 cases were analysed. The incidence of wound infections after caesarean section in this study was 8.14%. Study confirms that risk factors like anemia, chorioamnionitis; PROM, obstructed labour, preeclampsia, increased surgical time, increase BMI poses risk for wound complications. Whereas chorioamnionitis (66%) and obstructed labour (66%) showed increased risk for wound complications.

Conclusions Correcting malnutrion, anemia, stabilizing diabetes and eradicating all infection such as urinary tract infection, proper preparation of skin, proper surgeons scrubbing and using proper surgical technique can decrease the risk of postoperative wound infection.