RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate optimal timing of dressing and staples removal after cesarean delivery (CD). METHODS: This prospective clustered clinical trial enrolled women undergoing CD between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2014, at Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem. Women were assigned to one of five clusters differing in timing of dressing and staples removal. We assessed scar healing at 6 weeks. RESULTS: 920 women completed telephone questionnaires. Wound healing did not differ significantly among the clusters: the healing complication rate was 21% in the control group (n=46) and ranged from 18% to 26% (n=27-50) in clusters two to five (P=0.49). More healing complications were observed in women with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kg/m2 versus 35 kg/m2 or less (P=0.016), urgent versus elective CD (P=0.013), preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) versus intact membranes (P=0.016), and chorioamnionitis at delivery versus no chorioamnionitis (P=0.001). 586 (64%) women underwent physician assessment at staples removal and at 6 weeks post CD. CONCLUSIONS: Timing of dressing and staples removal has no effect on CD scar healing in low- and high-risk parturients. A BMI of more than 35 kg/m2 , urgent CD, PPROM, and chorioamnionitis were associated with mal-healing, regardless of cluster. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01724255.
