A randomized controlled trial measuring surgical site infection rate as a function of timing of wound dressing removal.

A randomized controlled trial with a sample size of 602 patients to study the effect of timing of wound dressing removal on the surgical site infection rate. 300 patients were randomized to a group that had the wound dressing removed between 12-30 hours postoperatively. 302 patients were randomized to a group that had the wound dressing removal between 30-48 hours postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed to determine if the timing of dressing removal had statistical significance on the surgical site infection rate, the primary outcome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients ages 18-50 years;
• medically competent (no proxies or prisoners); and
• multifetal and singleton gestations from 23 0/7 weeks to 42 0/7 weeks gestational age.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to obtain informed consent;
• fetal death;
• immunocompromised patients; patients taking immuno-suppressants; history of documented surgical site infection; or patients requiring reoperation within the 6 week postoperative period for indications other than wound dehiscence/debridement/infection.