Risk factors for post-operative wound infection in the setting of chorioamnionitis and cesarean delivery

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with an increased risk of post-operative wound infection in women with chorioamnionitis who undergo cesarean delivery.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with clinical chorioamnionitis who underwent cesarean delivery at a tertiary-care center between June 2010 and May 2013. Demographic data, labor and delivery details and post-operative outcomes were collected. Women with and without post-operative wound infections were compared.

Of 213 women with clinical chorioamnionitis who underwent cesarean delivery, 32 (15%) developed wound infections. Women with wound infection were more likely to have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40 (p = 0.04), chronic hypertension (p = 0.03), leukocytosis on presentation (p = 0.046) or use tobacco (p = 0.002). Women who received ertapenem postpartum were less likely to develop wound infection than those who did not receive antibiotics (p = 0.02) or those that received ampicillin, gentamicin and clindamycin (p = 0.005).

Elevated BMI, tobacco use, chronic hypertension and leukocytosis at admission were associated with an increased risk of wound infection. Ertapenem appeared to reduce the risk of post-operative wound infections in women who had chorioamnionitis and underwent cesarean delivery. This could be considered as a treatment option for this high-risk population.