[Retrospective study of post-cesarean endometritis. 1992-1993, Notre-Dame Hospital, Montreal, Canada]

Determine whether certain factors of risk can be identified for post-cesarean section endometritis.

The hospital charts of patients who underwent cesarean section between April 1, 1992 and March 31, 1993 at Notre-Dame Hospital in Montreal, Canada were evaluated retrospectively. Completed descriptive variables were recorded for all patients. chi 2 analysis and linear regression analysis were used to determine significant values with p < or = 0.05.

There were 372 cesarean sections. In this group 52 developed endometritis (14%). These results are similar to those reported in the literature. Seven variables were found to be significant with the chi 2 test: cystitis (p = 0.04), anemia (p = 0.047), cesarean delay (p = 0.049), positive urine culture (p = 0.0000), ruptured membranes > 8 h 30 (p = 0.019), 4 or more vaginal exams (p = 0.034), blood loss > or = 1,000 cm3 (p = 0.026). After linear regression analysis, only three variables remained significant: urine culture (p = 0.000), ruptured membranes > or = 8 h 30 (p = 0.02) and blood loss > or = 1.000 cm3 (p = 0.0005).

The population at Notre-Dame Hospital is similar to that described in the literature. The incidence of cesarean section and endometritis were also similar with other populations. Physicians should be aware of the importance of urine cultures after withdrawing urine drains since most of the germs found can cause endometritis. It would be important to search for causal germs by direct culture of endometrial material.