Postpartum endometritis after uterine cleaning versus no cleaning in cesarean sections: Randomized clinical trial

The aim of the study was to compare the rates of postpartum endometritis due to uterine cleaning and no cleaning in patients delivered by elective cesarean section.

This was a randomized clinical trial conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, from June 2019 to November 2019. We recruited patients undergoing cesarean delivery aged 18-45 years with singleton pregnancy, intact membranes, either first or repeated delivery, without labor pains. Patients were allocated into two groups, uterine cleaning (336 patients) and no cleaning (312 patients). The main outcome measure was the occurrence of postpartum endometritis.

Both groups were matched in their demographic characters. Twelve patients (3.6%) developed endometritis in the cleaning group versus one patient (0.3%) in the other one. Estimated blood loss was 754.35 ± 247.13 and 730.36 ± 232.77 for the cleaning and no cleaning groups, respectively, with a P value of 0.201. Septic wound infection (21 patients, 6.3%) was predominant in the cleaning group.

Uterine cleaning after delivery of the placenta during CS can be omitted as a surgical step during the operation. It was associated with increased rates of postpartum endometritis and blood loss.