Abstract
Objective:
The aim of this study was to conduct an assessment of the benefit of cesarean wound drainage in 98 pregnant women at increased risk of hemorrhage from preeclampsia, bleeding diathesis (von Willebrand), thrombocytopenia, or HELLP (hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome.
Study Design:
In total, 98 pregnant women at increased risk of hemorrhage undergoing a cesarean section were included in the prospectively randomized “no drainage” group (n = 55) versus “drainage” group (n = 43). Outcome measures were difference between pre- and postoperative hemoglobin, postoperative fever, cumulative opiate dose adjusted to body weight, length of stay, and operation time.
Results:
In total, 97 patients completed the study. The difference between pre- and postoperative hemoglobin was significantly higher in the “drainage” than in the “no drainage” group (p = 0.0041). There was no significant difference in opiate use, postoperative fever, operation time, or hospital stay between the two groups.
Conclusions:
Pregnant women at increased risk of hemorrhage do not profit from routine post-cesarean wound drainage. (J GYNECOL SURG 25:49)
