May intraperitoneal irrigation with Betadine improve cesarean delivery outcomes? Results of a 6 years' single centre experience.

PURPOSE: Cesarean presents increased risk of adverse outcomes, such as endometritis, bacteremia, peritonitis, and maternal fever. This retrospective study aims to evaluate, for the first time in Literature, the effects Betadine washing versus normal saline washing after uterine closure in women undergoing cesarean delivery (CD) at ≥36 gestational weeks.

METHODS

Of the 2080 patients identified retrospectively for the analysis at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of San Camillo Hospital of Rome, 1042 were assigned to "Betadine group" and 1038 to "No Betadine group". There were no differences noted for maternal and obstetric characteristics. The outcomes of the present study were to evaluate the incidence of postoperative infections or fever; the reduction of blood white cells among preoperative and postoperative exams; mean and median time of intestinal recanalization, of postoperative ambulation and of 24-h post-CD pain, evaluated using VAS scale.

RESULTS

Betadine group patients reported a statistically significant lower white cells increment, a lower mean time to ambulation and intestinal recanalization after CD and a lower 24-h post-CD pain and infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Betadine intraperitoneal irrigation during CD seems to improve postoperative CD outcomes and patients' quality of life.