Use of Electrocautery for Coagulation and Wound Complications in Caesarean Sections

Abstract EN

Objective.

To evaluate the safety of electrocautery for coagulation during Caesarean sections.

Study Design.

A randomized, controlled, clinical pilot study was performed at a university maternity hospital.

After admission for delivery and decision to perform a C-section, volunteers were randomized to either the intervention group (use of electrocautery for coagulation) or nonintervention group.

The women were examined at the time of postpartum discharge (day 3), at days 7 to 10, and again at days 30 to 40 for signs of infection, hematoma, seroma, or dehiscence.

Data were analyzed using an intention-to-treat analysis, and risk ratios were calculated.

Results.

No significant differences were found between the two groups.

Only 2.8% of patients in the intervention group developed surgical wound complications during hospitalization.

However, 7 to 10 days following discharge, these rates reached 23.0% and 15.4% in the intervention and nonintervention groups, respectively (RR = 1.50, 95% CI = 0.84–2.60).

Conclusion.

Further studies should confirm whether the use of electrocautery for coagulation does not increase the risk of surgical wound complications in patients undergoing Caesarean sections.