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Prophylactic subcutaneous drainage for prevention of wound complications after cesarean delivery--a metaanalysis

Elizabeth K Hellums1, Monique G Lin, Patrick S Ramsey

  • 1Center for Women's Reproductive Health, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of published data evaluating the effectiveness of prophylactic subcutaneous drainage to prevent wound complications in women undergoing cesarean delivery was performed. We identified 6 randomized trials of prophylactic subcutaneous drainage after cesarean delivery. Meta-analysis was performed and Peto odds ratios were calculated for each study outcome. The use of prophylactic subcutaneous drainage was not associated with a reduction in the rate of wound disruption (odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI: 0.39-1.42, P = .36, infection (odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI: 0.70-1.90, P = .58), hematoma (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI: 0.33-3.30, P = .94), or seroma (odds ratio 0.44, 95% CI: 0.14-1.43, P = .17) when compared with women who were not receiving subcutaneous drainage. Prophylactic use of subcutaneous drainage does not prevent significant wound complications after cesarean delivery.

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