Comparison of postoperative complications after Küstner and Pfannenstiel transverse suprapubic incisions.

We compared postoperative morbidity with the Küstner (n = 53) and Pfannenstiel (n = 131) incisions in a consecutive series of women undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions. The incidence of febrile morbidity (15.1% vs 23.7%, chi 2(1) = 1.19, P = 0.28) and wound infection (5.7% vs 9.2%, P = 0.56, Fisher's exact test) were higher in the Pfannenstiel then in the Küstner group, but neither difference was statistically significant. One suprafascial hematoma was observed after a Küstner incison compared with eight subfascial hematomas after a Pfannenstiel incision (1.9% vs 6.1%, P = 0.45, Fisher's exact test). The postoperative hospital stay was statistically significantly lower in the Küstner than in the Pfannenstiel group (6.3 +/- 1.4 vs 7.1 +/- 1.2 days, P < 0.01, Student's t test). The Küstner incision warrants further evaluation and usage.