Chlorhexidine vaginal wipes prior to elective cesarean section: does it reduce infectious morbidity? A randomized trial

Abstract

Cleansing the birth canal with chlorhexidine 0.25% wipes prior to elective CS appears to be effective in reducing rates of post-CS infectious morbidity mainly endometritis.

Effect of preoperative vaginal cleansing using chlorhexidine antiseptic on post cesarean section infectious morbidity

“…[20] In the same line, great significant reduction in rate of endometritis; from 13.2% in conventional care group to 2.9% in chlorhexidine vaginal cleansing group, was noticed in Ahmad's and coauthors study. [15] Despite the present study findings showed reduction in wound infection and febrile morbidity in favor to the study group subjects, this reduction was low and insignificant. Similarly, non-significant decline was noticed in rates of febrile morbidity and wound infection among chlorhexidine vaginal cleansing group equated to control group by Ahmed and coauthors.…”

“…Consistent with the present study finding, a randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of preoperative vaginal scrub using chlorhexidine wipes on post CS infectious morbidities in 219 women undergone elective CS at Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia city-Egypt. [15] The authors found significant reduction in overall post CS infectious morbidity from 24.4% in control group to 8.8% in intervention group. [15] Likewise, Tewfik and coauthors (2015) found significant reduction in overall post CS infectious morbidity in 47 women exposed to vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine solution before elective CS at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Egypt.…”

“…[15] The authors found significant reduction in overall post CS infectious morbidity from 24.4% in control group to 8.8% in intervention group. [15] Likewise, Tewfik and coauthors (2015) found significant reduction in overall post CS infectious morbidity in 47 women exposed to vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine solution before elective CS at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Egypt. [18] The positive effect of chlorhexidine antiseptic on reducing overall infectious morbidity may be attributed to its great antibacterial activity against variety types of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria; involving those associated peripartal infections.…”

“…Overall post cesarean infectious morbidity affects 24.4% of Egyptian population, with an incidence of 13.2% with endometritis; in a hospital-based study. [15] Given that evidence, finding a safe simple practice with good efficacy on reducing post-cesarean infectious morbidity is of utmost importance for the nursing and medical staff working at the operating theatre of obstetrics and gynecology department. [16] There-fore, the present study was carried out to assess effect of preoperative vaginal cleansing using chlorhexidine antiseptic on post cesarean section infectious morbidity.…”

“…This randomized controlled trial proposed to assess effect of preoperative vaginal cleansing using chlorhexidine antiseptic on post cesarean section infectious morbidity. Based on data from a previous study, [15] considering level of significance 5%, power 80%, type of test is two-sided, and by substitution of the formula: n =…”