role of saline wound irrigation in preventing postoperative wound infection in patients undergoing cesarean section

ABSTRACT

to determine if saline wound irrigation before wound closure is helpful in preventing wound infection in patients undergoing cesarean section Study design: it is a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing two groups of patients group I included 466 patients who had undergone cesarean section and had wound irrigation before wound closure and group II included 485 patient who had undergone cesarean section and who had no wound irrigation. Statistical analysis were performed using Mann- Whitney test and chi square test where appropriate there were no significant differences between both groups in the mean age, gravidity, parity, body mass index, type of surgery [elective or emergency], indication of cesarean section, type of incision used, type of skin suture used, using cautery, suturing subcutaneous tissue, duration of surgery and duration of hospitalization. Also there was no significant difference in the incidence of wound infection in both groups. saline wound irrigation before wound closure is not helpful in preventing wound infection in-patients undergoing cesarean section