The Effect of Timing of Removal of Wound Dressing on Surgical Site Infection Rate After Cesarean Delivery

The Effect of Timing of Removal of Wound Dressing on Surgical Site Infection Rate After Cesarean Delivery

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.