Objective: Determining the effect of discharge time after elective cesarean section on maternal outcomes.
Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial that performed on 294 women who undergo elective cesarean section. The patients were randomized in two groups by simple randomization method: Group A (discharge 24 h after cesarean) and group B (discharge for 48 h after cesarean). In both groups, during the first 24 h, they received intravenous antibiotic (cefazolin as routine order) and pethidine at the time of pain. The patients were discharged with the hematinic and mefenamic acid. The main outcome variables were satisfaction of the patient, surgical site infection, separation of incision, endometritis, urinary tract infection, gastrointestinal complications, rehospitalization, secondary postpartum hemorrhage and pain of the patient on discharge day, one and six weeks after cesarean.
Results: Satisfaction scores and pain score at discharge day, one and six weeks after discharge were not significant different in the study groups (P > 0.05). Another key finding of this paper was no significant difference in the incidence of surgical site infection, separation of incision, endometritis, urinary tract infection, gastrointestinal complications, rehospitalization, secondary postpartum hemorrhage at one and six weeks after discharge in the study groups(P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The time of discharge can be reduced to 24 h after surgery if the mother to be at good general condition, the vital signs are stable, the patient has no underlying problem and disease, and it is financed for the patient and the health system.
Keywords: Cesarean; Early discharge; Maternal outcomes.