International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics : the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Jun 1989
ReviewRisk factors for fever, endometritis and wound infection after abdominal delivery.
Risk factors for postoperative fever, endometritis and wound infection were analyzed in 761 consecutive cesarean sections. Postoperative fever was observed in 12%, endometritis in 4.7% and wound infection in 3% of cases. The relative risk for postoperative fever was increased in cases with postoperative hematoma (relative risk = 16.0), in cases with blood loss over 500 g (relative risk = 1.8) and if the duration of labor exceeded 6 h (relative risk = 1.9). ⋯ By elimination of amnionitis and postoperative hematomas the rate of endometritis would have diminished only from 4.7% to 3.8%, a percentage equally unacceptable; diagnostics and prevention should be directed to young patients undergoing caesarean section. Besides technical procedures prevention of endometritis is important for the prevention of wound infection. In hospitals with low postcesarean infectious morbidity antibiotic prophylaxis seems to be unwarranted.