Comparison of postoperative complications after Küstner and Pfannenstiel transverse suprapubic incisions

We compared postoperative morbidity with the Kustner (n=53) and Pfannenstiel (n=131) incisions in a consecutive series of women undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions. The incidence of febrile morbidity (15.1% vs 23.7%, χ21=1.19, P=0.28) and wound infection (5.7% vs 9.2%, P=0.56, Fisher's exact test) were higher in the Pfannenstiel then in the Kustner group, but neither difference was statistically significant. One suprafascial hematoma was observed after a Kustner incison compared with eight subfascial hematomas after a Pfannenstiel incision (1.9% vs 6.1%, P=0.45, Fisher's exact test). The postoperative hospital stay was statistically significantly lower in the Kustner than in the Pfannenstiel group (6.3±1.4 vs 7.1±1.2 days, P<0.01, Student's t test). The Kustner incision warrants further evaluation and usage.