A prospective randomized study for evaluation of wound retractors in the prevention of incision site infections after cesarean section.

ABSTRACT

Surgical site infections (SSIs) after cesarean section appear to be more common than generally believed. We prospectively evaluated 231 consecutive pregnant women who underwent elective or emergency cesarean section, and were assigned to have either the Alexis wound retractor (study group) or a conventional Doyen retractor (control group) during the operation. There was no evidence of SSI, defined as wound dehiscence, pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen, localized swelling, redness, heat or purulent discharge from the wound in any woman in the study group. Moreover, no endometritis occurred in this patient collective. There were three SSI in the control group, but no endometritis. Our preliminary data show excellent protection of wound infections with an additive protective effect to that given by antibiotic cover. After a short learning curve, the handling of the Alexis device became easier and the median insertion time was 18 sec.