Clamping compared to cauterization for subcutaneous hemostasis in Pfannenstiel incision

We compared subcutaneous clamping and cauterization for hemostasis at laparotomy with Pfannenstiel incision with reference to surgical site infection, postoperative fever and time taken for incision. A total of 214 patients with consecutive hysterectomies were alternately assigned to incisional hemostasis by clamping (n= 107) or cauterization (n= 107). The groups were similar in terms of age, gravidity, parity, body mass index, uterine size and mean hemoglobin drop. Rates of surgical site infection, postoperative fever and time from skin incision to peritoneal cavity entry were significantly higher in the group with cauterization (p < 0.05).