Safety of Panniculectomy During Cesarean Section A Prospective, Non-Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the addition of panniculectomy to a cesarean section is associated with an increased rate of postsurgical complications. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-four patients were included into the study. Twenty-six patients with a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2) underwent a panniculectomy (study group), and 38 served as controls. The second control group consisted of 38 patients with a BMI >30 kg/m(2) who had a cesarean section without panniculectomy. The following postsurgical outcomes were included into the analysis: postsurgical fever, presence of seromas, hematomas, and wound dehiscence. All patients were followed for 8 weeks after the procedures. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20.0. RESULTS: Frequency of postpartum fever was 23% in the study group vs. 24% in the control group in patients with a BMI >30 kg/m(2); seromas were present in 11% vs. 11%, respectively; hematomas, 7.6% vs. 5.5%, respectively; and wound dehiscence was 15.4% vs. 11%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Performance of panniculectomy as a part of cesarean section does not appear to increase surgical complications in patients with BMI >30 kg/m(2).