Swabbing of Subcutaneous Tissues with Betadine for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection after Caesarian Section

Background: The progressive increase in the incidence of caesarean birth has been a notable feature of contemporary obstetric practice and caesarean delivery is now the most frequent major surgical procedure performed in obstetrics and gynecology. In Egypt the rate of cesarean delivery is 51, 8 % of all deliveries. Infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery can have a tremendous impact on the postpartum woman's return to normal function and her ability to care for her baby. Despite the widespread use of prophylactic antibiotics, postoperative infectious morbidity still complicates cesarean deliveries. Aim of the Work: To assess the efficacy of subcutaneous swabbing of cesarean section wounds with povidone iodine to prevent postoperative wound infection. Patients and Methods: The study population was randomized into 2 groups: Povidone-Iodine Group: Included 275 women who underwent elective caesarian section with subcutaneous tissue irrigation with Povidone iodine 1% solution and control Group: Included 275 women who underwent elective caesarian section without subcutaneous tissue irrigation. Results: Incidence of SSI didn’t differ significantly between the Povidone-Iodine group and the Control group (6.11% vs 8.54%, p = 0.37). No significant differences were found between both groups regarding the severity of SSI based on required treatment or incidence of postoperative pyrexia. Conclusion: There was no benefit of subcutaneous tissue swabbing with povidone iodine in decreasing wound infection following cesarean section.