title: Prophylactic subcutaneous drainage for prevention of wound complications after cesarean delivery--a metaanalysis.
abstract: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of published data evaluating the effectiveness of prophylactic subcutaneous drainage to prevent wound complications in women undergoing cesarean delivery was performed. We identified 6 randomized trials of prophylactic subcutaneous drainage after cesarean delivery. Meta-analysis was performed and Peto odds ratios were calculated for each study outcome. The use of prophylactic subcutaneous drainage was not associated with a reduction in the rate of wound disruption (odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI: 0.39-1.42, P = .36, infection (odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI: 0.70-1.90, P = .58), hematoma (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI: 0.33-3.30, P = .94), or seroma (odds ratio 0.44, 95% CI: 0.14-1.43, P = .17) when compared with women who were not receiving subcutaneous drainage. Prophylactic use of subcutaneous drainage does not prevent significant wound complications after cesarean delivery.
authors.affiliation: Center for Women's Reproductive Health, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Hellums
authors.forename: Monique G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Patrick S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ramsey
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*