Use of Intrauterine Pressure Catheters (IUPC) Increases Risk of Post-Cesarean Surgical Site Infection [9B

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infection (SSI) rates are increasingly being linked to payment incentives for hospitals and represent an important clinical quality indicator of care. Clinical interventions aimed to significantly reduce cost and morbidity can be designed through identification of key predisposing obstetrical risk factors for SSI. Studies conducted in a limited number of subjects suggest an association between IUPC and post-partum endomyometritis. Our objective was to examine the relationship between intra-partum use of IUPC and risk of post-cesarean SSI. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis using data from Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network (MFMU) Cesarean Registry (1999-2002). Patients included in this analysis had a singleton viable pregnancy and a cesarean delivery following labor for recognized obstetrical indication from 24 to 42 weeks gestational age (GA). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to control for GA, race, BMI at delivery, smoking, limited prenatal care, length of labor, length of membrane rupture, PPROM, pre-gestational diabetes, hypertensive diseases, physical health status assessed using American Society of Anesthesiologists established categories, and maternal clinical chorioamnionitis. RESULTS: 25,986 women were included in this analysis. The rate of SSI was 12.9% (1,542 of 11,941) in the patients with IUPC and 7.8% (1,099 of 14,045) in the patients without IUPC (P= < 0.001). The adjusted Odds Ratio for SSI among patients who had IUPC was 1.40, (95% CI=1.26-1.57, P= < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We present compelling data that in laboring women undergoing cesarean delivery, the use of IUPC is an independent risk factor for post-cesarean SSI.