Caesarean Wound Dressing Removal Study

A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Timing of Wound Dressing Removal After Emergency Caesarean Delivery

An open labelled randomised trial on the timing of wound dressing removal for emergency caesarean delivery in labour.

The trial is unblinded randomised trial on surgical wound dressing at 24 versus 48 hours after the emergency caesarean delivery in labour.

The primary outcome is the prevalence of wound complications (hematoma, seroma, infection/ dehiscence) The secondary objectives are the maximum pain after the surgery (in ward) and the timing of the patient's first bath after the surgery

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-50
2. Lower segment caesarean delivery
3. Primary or repeat caesarean delivery
4. Caesarean section in active phase of labour.
5. Regional anaesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Upper segment or classical caesarean delivery
2. Massive postpartum haemorrhage > 1.5 litre
3. Pre-delivery chorioamnionitis
4. Skin closure using interrupted suture
5. Acquired or congenital coagulation disorder
6. Associated medical or obstetric condition requiring prolonged hospital stay after delivery such as severe pre-eclampsia, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, systemic infection.
7. Inability to give consent