Comparison of Wound Infection in Skin Staples Versus Sutures for Skin Closure in Patients Undergoing Caesarean Section

Maria Sajid; Humera Noreen; Shagufta Saeed Sial; Ismat Tanveer; Nighat Naheed

Maria Sajid Ex Post graduate trainee, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi
Humera Noreen Assistant Professor of Obs/Gynae, Rawalpindi Medical University, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi
Shagufta Saeed Sial Professor of Obs/Gynae, Rawalpindi Medical University, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi
Ismat Tanveer Assistant Professor of Obs/Gynae, Rawalpindi Medical University, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi
Nighat Naheed Senior Registrar of Obs/Gynae, Rawalpindi Medical University, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi

Keywords: Caesarean section, skin closure, skin staples, wound infection

Abstract

Objective: To compare frequency of wound infection in skin staples versus sutures for skin closure in patients undergoing caesarean section.
Methodology: The randomized control trial study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi from 4th February, 2015 to 3rd September 2015. A total of 654 cases were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A was allotted for Skin Staples and Group B for sutures. Caesarean section was performed following the departmental protocols and skin closure was done according to randomization. Wound infection was recorded.
Results: In this study mean age of patients was same in both groups (29.64 ± 4.17 vs. 29.58 ± 4.54 years) respectively. Mean gestational age was also same (38.48 ± 0.65 vs 38.57 ± 0.62 ). In skin staples group 53(16.2%) females underwent elective c-section and 274 (83.8%) emergency c-section. In sutures group 63(19.3%) cases underwent elective and 264(80.7%) cases had emergency c-section, p-value = 0.306. In skin staples group 40(12.2%) patients developed wound infection and in sutures group 19(5.8%) females got wound infection within 7th post-operative day. Wound infection was significantly lower in suture groups as compared to staples groups, p-value = 0.04.
Conclusion: It is concluded that closure of the skin incision at caesarean delivery with suture is associated with decrease incidence of wound infection as compared to staples.