Vaginal cleansing before cesarean delivery to reduce postoperative infectious morbidity: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether vaginal preparation with povidone iodine before cesarean delivery decreased the risk of postoperative maternal morbidities.

Study Design: The design of the study was a randomized, controlled trial in women undergoing cesarean delivery with subjects assigned to have a preoperative vaginal cleansing with povidone iodine or to a standard care group (no vaginal wash). The primary outcome was a composite of postoperative fever, endometritis, sepsis, readmission, wound infection, or complication.