Preoperative vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine and cetrimide solution for reduction of postoperative infectious morbidity at a tertiary care center in North India: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine the effect of preoperative vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine and cetrimide solution on postoperative infectious morbidity.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted over a period of 18 months in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. Women undergoing cesarean section were alternately allotted to study and control groups. Women with chorioamnionitis, antepartum hemorrhage, rupture of membranes for more than 24 h, and fever in the preoperative period were excluded. The study group received preoperative vaginal cleansing with antiseptic solution (7.5% chlorhexidine w/v and 15% cetrimide w/v); the control group did not receive vaginal cleansing. Both groups were followed for the presence of any infectious morbidity until they were discharged from the hospital.

Results: Age, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), gestational age, and the parity of the women in the study and control groups were comparable (n = 760). The rate of endometritis was lower in the study group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.054). Post-cesarean febrile morbidity and wound sepsis were significantly lower in the study group (P = 0.017 and P = 0.02, respectively). On subgroup analysis, women in the study group with rupture of the membranes before cesarean delivery had lower wound sepsis and a reduced duration of hospital stay. Women in the study group with emergency cesarean delivery showed a significant reduction in wound sepsis, febrile morbidity, and length of hospital stay.

Conclusion: Preoperative vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine and cetrimide solution before a cesarean section reduces postoperative infectious morbidity.