Continuous versus disrupted subcutaneous tissue closure in cesarean section: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Cesarean delivery (CD) rates continue to rise worldwide, accounting for more than 30% of births in the USA. [1][2][3] Although considered safe, CD is still associated with both short-and long-term maternal morbidities. 4 Postpartum surgical-site complications such as hematomas, seromas, surgical-site infection (SSI), and wound breakdown develop in 1%-2% of both scheduled and emergency primary CDs. [5][6][7] Risk factors for wound complications include high body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) and comorbidities. 8 One of the preventive measures for reducing the incidence of wound complications following CD is approximation of the subcutaneous tissue. 9 A 2004 Cochrane review addressed this surgical step and demonstrated a significant onethird reduction in all surgical-site complications following suturing of