Post-operative Procedures for Caesarean Sections: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines [Internet]

Excerpt

A caesarean section (C-section) is defined as the use of surgery to deliver an infant. The procedure involves an incision in the lower abdomen to expose the uterus and a second incision to the uterus to allow removal of the infant and placenta. C-section may be performed upon identification of problems that arise during or prior to labour that may put the health of the mother or fetus at risk.

In 2017, more than 103,000 C-sections were performed in Canada, making it the most common surgical procedure performed in Canadian hospitals. Although C-section is generally considered safe, the procedure is not without risks. Wound complications such as infection, hematoma, seroma, and dehiscence are included among the risks of C-section. Infection is considered a major potential complication of C-section. The risk of wound infection is further elevated among mothers with a body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m².

Interventions for the care of mothers undergoing C-section target the perinatal period. The focus of this report is the post-surgical period. The specific objectives of this report are to summarize the evidence regarding (1) the clinical effectiveness of removing or replacing surgical dressings at 48 hours following C-section versus other timeframes, (2) the clinical effectiveness of silver-hydrocolloid dressing versus other surgical dressing types applied after C-section, and (3) the evidence-based guidelines regarding post-operative care for surgical wounds following C-section.