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Am J Perinatol 2016; 33(06): 547-551
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1570339
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Abdominal Incision Selection for Cesarean Delivery of Women with Class III Obesity

Authors

  • Amelia L. Sutton

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

  • Lauren B. Sanders

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

  • Akila Subramaniam

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

  • Victoria C. Jauk

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

  • Rodney K. Edwards

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
Further Information

Publication History

09 June 2015

04 November 2015

Publication Date:
21 December 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate cesarean outcomes, stratified by abdominal incision type, in women with class III obesity.

Study Design We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with class III obesity undergoing cesarean at our institution from 2010 to 2013 with singletons ≥ 34 weeks. Outcomes were compared between patients with transverse subpannicular and vertical abdominal incisions. The primary outcome was a wound composite (cellulitis, abscess, hematoma, seroma, or dehiscence). Other outcomes included transfusion, vertical hysterotomy, 5-minute Apgar < 7, and umbilical artery pH < 7.10.

Results Of 423 patients, 364 had subpannicular transverse, 57 had vertical, and 2 had periumbilical transverse incisions (not analyzed). Although vertical incisions were associated with more wound complications (26.3 vs. 14.8%; p = 0.03), the difference became null after adjustment (adjusted odds ratios [aOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7, 4.1). Vertical incisions were associated with increased risk of vertical hysterotomy (aOR 4.8; 95% CI, 2.2, 10.4), decreased risk of 5-minute Apgar < 7 (aOR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.004, 0.9), and not statistically significantly associated with transfusion (aOR, 4.2; 95% CI, 0.9, 19.0) or umbilical artery pH < 7.1 (aOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.11, 1.7).

Conclusions In women with class III obesity cesarean delivery via vertical abdominal incisions is associated with more maternal but less immediate neonatal complications.

Keywords

cesarean delivery - cesarean - obesity - morbid obesity - incision type