title: Comparison of postoperative complications after Küstner and Pfannenstiel transverse suprapubic incisions.
abstract: We compared postoperative morbidity with the Küstner (n = 53) and Pfannenstiel (n = 131) incisions in a consecutive series of women undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions. The incidence of febrile morbidity (15.1% vs 23.7%, chi 2(1) = 1.19, P = 0.28) and wound infection (5.7% vs 9.2%, P = 0.56, Fisher's exact test) were higher in the Pfannenstiel then in the Küstner group, but neither difference was statistically significant. One suprafascial hematoma was observed after a Küstner incison compared with eight subfascial hematomas after a Pfannenstiel incision (1.9% vs 6.1%, P = 0.45, Fisher's exact test). The postoperative hospital stay was statistically significantly lower in the Küstner than in the Pfannenstiel group (6.3 +/- 1.4 vs 7.1 +/- 1.2 days, P < 0.01, Student's t test). The Küstner incision warrants further evaluation and usage.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica Luigi Mangiagalli, Università di Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vercellini
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cortesi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oldani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bologna
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Perotti
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Crosignani
mesh_terms: D000290:Adnexa Uteri / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015653:Cystectomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods; D009215:Myometrium / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*