Infections following classical cesarean section.
A study was undertaken to evaluate the postoperative morbidity of classical cesarean section (CCS). Eighty-nine such procedures, performed between 1970 and 1977, were reviewed. All cases in which prophylactic antibiotics were used were excluded from the study. Forty-seven patients (53%) developed standard morbidity, and 46 patients (52%) had a clinical diagnosis of infection. Of these, 30 patients (34%) had endoparametritis, 5 patients (6%) had abdominal wound infection, and 11 patients (12%) had urinary tract or pulmonary infection. Two patients (2%) had pelvic thrombophlebitis, but no patient was found to have an abscess or pelvic hematoma. In comparison with matched patients who had a low cervical transverse cesarean section (LCTCS) performed during the same time, patients with a CCS had a comparable incidence of standard morbidity and operative site infection. These infections responded promptly to vigorous antibiotic therapy with no apparent increased risk of amjor postoperative complications in the population studied.
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D004716:Endometritis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology