Effect of skin coverage method following subcuticular suturing on wound infection rates at cesarean delivery.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of cyanoacrylate skin glue following subcuticular skin closure was associated with a decrease in wound outcomes in comparison with subcuticular closure plus Steri-strips at cesarean delivery.


METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing cesarean delivery at a single center over a two-year period. The primary outcome of wound infection and secondary outcomes of wound separation and composite wound complication rate were assessed throughout the six-week postpartum period.


RESULTS
Of 660 women who met inclusion criteria, 35 (5.3%) experienced a wound infection and 90 (13.6%) experienced a wound separation. The composite wound complication rate was 16.4% (n = 108). Of the 515 cases with a skin coverage method noted, use of skin glue was associated with a marginal decrease in wound infections (p = 0.057), as well as a significantly reduced incidence of wound separation (p = 0.03) and composite wound complications (p = 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
Cyanoacrylate skin glue may be superior to Steri-strips for wound separation and composite wound complication rates when utilized with subcuticular suture at the time of cesarean delivery and may yield some benefit for prevention of wound infection.
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA and.
Jill M
JM
Westcott
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA and.
Libby
L
Crockett
b College of Public Health , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.
Fang
F
Qiu
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA and.
Teresa G
TG
Berg
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D003487:Cyanoacrylates
Cesarean; skin glue; suture; wound complications