Maternal morbidity associated with skin incision type at cesarean delivery in obese patients: a systematic review

Challenges in timing and mode of delivery in morbidly obese women

Globally obesity is increasing especially in the reproductive age group. Pregnant women with obesity have higher complication and intervention rates. They are also at increased risk of stillbirth and intrapartum complications. Although organisations like NICE, RCOG, ACOG and WHO have published guidelines and recommendations on care of pregnant women with obesity the evidence from which Grade A recommendations can be made on timing and how to deliver is limited. The current advice is therefore to have discussions with the woman on risks to help her make an informed decision about timing, place, and mode of delivery. Obesity is an independent risk factor for pregnancy complications including diabetes, hypertension and macrosomia. In those with these complications, the timing of delivery is often influenced by the severity of the complication. As an independent factor, population based observational studies in obese women have shown an increase in the risk of stillbirth. This risk increases linearly with weight from overweight through to class II obesity, but then rises sharply in those with class III obesity by at least 10-fold beyond 42 weeks when compared to normal weight women. This risk of stillbirth is notably higher in obese women from 34 weeks onwards compared to normal weight women. One modifiable risk factor for stillbirth as shown from various cohorts of pregnant women is prolonged pregnancy. Research has linked obesity to prolonged pregnancy. Although the exact mechanism is yet unknown some have linked this to maternal dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis leading to hormonal imbalance delaying parturition. For these women the two dilemmas are when and how best to deliver. In this review, we examine the evidence and make recommendations on the timing and mode of delivery in women with obesity. For class I obese women there are no differences in outcome with regards to timing and mode of delivery when compared to lean weight women. However, for class II and III obesity, planned induction or caesarean sections may be associated with a lower perinatal morbidity and mortality although this may be associated with an increased in maternal morbidity especially in class III obesity. Studies have shown that delivery by 39 weeks is associated with lower perinatal mortality compared to delivering after in these women. On balance the evidence would favour planned delivery (induction or caesarean section) before 40 weeks of gestation. In the morbidly obese, apart from the standard lower transverse skin incision for CS, there is evidence that a supraumbilical transverse incision may reduce morbidity but is less cosmetic. Irrespective of the option adopted, it is important to discuss the pros and cons of each.

A systematic review with meta-analysis on prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy versus standard dressing for obese women after caesarean section

AIMS

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in obese women undergoing caesarean section.

DESIGN

An updated review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception up to March 2022 without restriction in language. We chose surgical site infection as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

NPWT resulted in a lower surgical site infection rate compared with conventional dressing (risk ratio [RR] = 0.76). The infection rate after low transverse incision was lower comparing the NPWT group with the control group ([RR] = 0.76). No statistically significant difference was detected in blistering([RR] = 2.91). The trial sequential analysis did not support the 20% relative decrease in surgical site infection in the NPWT group. (type II error of 20%).

Incidence and risk factors for surgical wound complications in women with body mass index >30 kg/m2 following cesarean delivery: a secondary analysis

BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVE

STUDY DESIGN

RESULTS

CONCLUSION