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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Surgical Closure of Equine Abdomen, Prevention, and Management of Incisional Complications
Published on: May 10, 2024
Abdominal surgical incisions for caesarean section.
Matthews Mathai1, G Justus Hofmeyr, Namratha E Mathai
1Department of Maternal; Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health,World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. mathaim@who.int.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|June 4, 2013
Summary
The Joel-Cohen incision significantly reduces postoperative fever, pain, and analgesic needs compared to the Pfannenstiel incision for caesarean sections. This surgical approach also leads to less blood loss and shorter hospital stays for mothers.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Surgical Techniques
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Caesarean section is the most common major surgical procedure globally.
- Various abdominal incision techniques exist, with some evaluated in randomized trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the benefits and risks of alternative abdominal surgical incisions for caesarean sections.
Main Methods:
- Searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register for relevant randomized controlled trials.
- Included trials comparing different abdominal incisions for caesarean section.
- Extracted and analyzed data for accuracy.
Main Results:
- The Joel-Cohen incision showed a 65% reduction in postoperative febrile morbidity versus the Pfannenstiel incision.
- Joel-Cohen also demonstrated reduced analgesic needs, shorter operating and delivery times, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stays.
- Muscle-cutting incisions (Maylard) showed no significant difference in febrile morbidity or other outcomes compared to the Pfannenstiel incision.
Conclusions:
- The Joel-Cohen incision offers advantages over the Pfannenstiel incision, including reduced fever, pain, analgesic requirements, blood loss, and hospital stay.
- These maternal benefits may translate to healthcare cost savings.
- Further research is needed on severe or long-term morbidity and mortality.
