The rate of SSI is underestimated if the observation time is limited to the hospital stay. Operating time exceeding 38 min substantially increases the risk of SSI. The finding of no significant difference in SSI rate between elective and emergency CS should lead to a different approach concerning the use of antibiotics: subgroup at risk (operating time > or =38 min and BMI >30) may benefit from antibiotics in relation to the operation, whether the CS is an emergency or elective operation.

No abstract