Simplified cesarean section: a strategic surgical approach to minimize postoperative infectious morbidity.
Objective: A simplified method of cesarean delivery aimed at minimizing postoperative morbidity is illustrated.Methods: Two hundred consecutive cesarean deliveries were performed by the authors' simplified cesarean technique. Mean patient age was 27 years (range 17-46), and mean weight was 169 pounds (range 112-414). Indications for cesarean delivery included dystocia or failure to progress in labor (38%), repeat cesarean (32%), malpresentation (11.5%), fetal distress (9.5%), and other (9%).Results: Simplified cesarean delivery was successfully completed in all cases. Mean operating time was 16 minutes (range 9-33), mean blood loss was 460 mL (range 100-1150), and mean postsurgical hospitalization time was 72 hours (range 36-120). No bowel, bladder, or vascular injuries occurred. Postoperative febrile morbidity occurred in one patient (0.5%), ileus occurred in one patient (0.5%), and blood transfusion was administered to one patient (0.5%). No cases of wound infection, wound dehiscence, hematoma, or incisional hernia occurred. All patients were ambulatory on the first postoperative day. All but one patient (99.5%) tolerated a regular diet on the first postoperative day.Conclusions: The authors' technique of cesarean section appears to be a safe and efficient method for cesarean delivery associated with minimal postoperative infectious morbidity and rapid resumption of bowel and ambulatory function.
Pelosi
MA
Pelosi Women's Medical Center, New Jersey, Bayonne, USA