Timing of Cesarean Wound Dressing Removal on Wound Healing in Women With BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²

NCT07846930 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Cesarean Wound Dressing Timing
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 726
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Cesarean delivery is one of the most common surgical procedures in obstetric care. Women with obesity (body mass index \[BMI\] of 30 kg/m² or higher) are at increased risk for postoperative wound complications, including surgical site infections, fluid collections (seroma/hematoma), and wound separation. Postoperative wound dressings protect the surgical incision, but the optimal timing for dressing removal remains uncertain, particularly for high-risk patients. The purpose of this prospective cohort study is to compare wound healing and the occurrence of surgical site infections between two standard dressing removal schedules in women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² undergoing cesarean delivery. Participants are observed in one of two groups according to standard hospital practice:

• Group 1: The sterile wound dressing is removed at approximately 48 hours after surgery.
• Group 2: The sterile wound dressing is removed at approximately 5 days after surgery. Following dressing removal, incisions are assessed for signs of infection, drainage, swelling, and healing progress. The study aims to provide evidence on whether earlier dressing removal at 48 hours is safe and effective compared to delayed removal at 5 days in women with obesity.

Conditions

Cesarean Section; Surgical Wound Infection; Wound Healing; Obesity; Surgical Wound Dehiscence

Keywords

Cesarean delivery; Wound dressing; Dressing removal timing; Surgical site infection; Pfannenstiel incision; Postoperative care; Maternal obesity; Wound complications

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Number of Participants With Surgical Site Infection (SSI)

  Number of participants diagnosed with a surgical site infection (SSI) at the Pfannenstiel incision site. Assessment is performed using a standardized clinical wound-assessment form evaluating the presence of purulent discharge, localized erythema, heat, edema, or wound separation.

  Up to 48 hours after dressing removal

Study Arms (2)

48-Hour Dressing Removal

Women with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² undergoing cesarean delivery with a Pfannenstiel skin incision whose standardized sterile wound dressing is removed at approximately 48 hours after surgery, followed by clinical wound inspection under aseptic conditions and routine postoperative care.

5-Day Dressing Removal

Women with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² undergoing cesarean delivery with a Pfannenstiel skin incision whose standardized sterile wound dressing is removed at approximately 5 days after surgery, followed by clinical wound inspection under aseptic conditions and routine postoperative care.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² undergoing cesarean delivery via a Pfannenstiel skin incision at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University Hospitals, and Malawi Specialized Hospital.

You may qualify if:

• Women aged 18 to 35 years
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² measured before cesarean delivery or at admission
• Undergoing cesarean delivery with a Pfannenstiel skin incision and primary skin closure

You may not qualify if:

• Pre-existing infection or inflammation at the planned incision site
• Active systemic infection or fever prior to surgery
• Clinical or subclinical chorioamnionitis
• Major intraoperative contamination of the surgical field
• Significant preoperative bleeding or anemia
• Known bleeding or coagulation disorders that may significantly affect wound healing
• Major postoperative complications requiring additional abdominal surgery
• Inability or unwillingness to attend scheduled follow-up visits

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Assiut University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Surgical Wound Infection; Obesity; Surgical Wound Dehiscence; Pregnancy in Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wound Infection; Infections; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pregnancy Complications; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Resident

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 23, 2026
• First Posted: September 29, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Last Updated: September 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09