Abstract :
Background: Cesarean sections are amongst the most commonly performed abdominal operations in women worldwide. Wound healing is an important factor for lower complication rate and patient satisfaction. Despite conflicting results, closure with subcuticular suture materials was found to be more advantageous considering wound healing, better cosmetic results and patient satisfaction rates.
Objectives: 1. To assess pain on 5th postoperative day. 2. To assess wound complications. 3. To assess scar at 6th week of follow up.
Materials and Methods: Observational study was conducted on cases admitted in obstetric department undergoing caesarean section from January 2023 to March 2024. Subcutaneous tissue was closed with interrupted sutures (PLAIN CATGUT 2-0) where subcutaneous tissue was >1cm thickness. Monocryl 3-0 subcuticular was used as an absorbable material for skin closure. Wound evaluations were performed during follow-up at 6 weeks by interviewing patients and local examination of wound.
75 cases were enrolled out of which 12 lost to follow up. The mean age was 27.40 ± 3.795 years. The mean BMI was 21.492 -3.987 Kg/m Mean time for skin closure was 4.96± 1.382 mins. Mean pain score at post-operative day 5 was 5.05 1.451. 13 (8.7%) cases had mild pain, 57(38%) had moderate pain and 5(3.3%) had severe pain. At 6 weeks of follow up seroma was present in 9(6%) cases, 5 (3.3%) had infection, 5 (3.3%) had dehiscence 3 (2%) had hypertrophic scar and hematoma in only 2 (1.3%) cases. POSAS score was used for cosmetic scar assessment. Mean patient scar score was 6.128 ±1.291 and observer scar score was 6.173 -2.891.
Conclusion: Future research is needed on multicentric levels with extended follow-up periods and employing standardized, objective outcome measures to enhance the reliability and generalizability of findings across diverse patient populations.
Keyword :
Monocryl, Patient and observer scar assessment scale, Numerical rating scale.