Takeaway
- Prophylactic closed-incision negative pressure therapy in obese women undergoing cesarean delivery (CD) does not reduce the risk for wound complications.
Why this matters
- 40% of US women have obesity.
- Wound complications in women with obesity undergoing CD add to annual medical expenditures.
Key results
- The overall wound morbidity was 18%.
- There was no difference in wound morbidity between groups (P=.54).
Study design
- Pragmatic, open-label randomized controlled trial at 1 institution between 2015 and 2016.
- Gravid women with obesity were invited to participate.
- BMI was measured within 2 weeks prior to delivery.
- Women undergoing CD with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 were randomly allocated to receive a standard dressing (n=219) vs closed-incision negative pressure therapy (n=222).
- Primary outcome was wound complication (wound disruption, wound infection, or cellulitis).
- Funding: None; study materials provided by Kinetic Concepts Incorporated.
Limitations
- Results may not be generalizable; most patients were Hispanic and from a public hospital setting.
References
References
