Question

A 23 year old G1P1 woman is five days post-operative from a cesarean delivery for arrest of labor at 7cm. She now complains of minimal abdominal pain and drainage from the right side of the incision. Lochia is normal, and she has no urinary complaints. Her vital are normal, and she is afebrile. On physical exam, her lung and cardiac examinations are normal. Her abdomen and uterine fundus are non-tender. She has tenderness along her Pfannenstiel incision extending 3 cm from the incision, and there is serous, bloody drainage coming from the right side. What is the next best step in the management of this patient

Answer 1

Hi there!

After a Cesarean section, wound infections are caused by bacteria from the blood, uterus, and vagina. Opening the wound, screening for fascial dehiscence, drainage, and fluid testing are all needed before a diagnosis of surgical site infection can be made. The healing process is aided by packing the wound until it has healed from the root. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are indicated if you suspect cellulitis or abscess. If you suspect cellulitis or an abscess, broad-spectrum antibiotics are recommended.