Effect of skin coverage method following subcuticular suturing on wound infection rates at cesarean delivery^*

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of cyanoacrylate skin glue following subcuticular skin closure was associated with a decrease in wound outcomes in comparison with subcuticular closure plus Steri-strips at cesarean delivery. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing cesarean delivery at a single center over a two-year period. The primary outcome of wound infection and secondary outcomes of wound separation and composite wound complication rate were assessed throughout the six-week postpartum period. Results: Of 660 women who met inclusion criteria, 35 (5.3%) experienced a wound infection and 90 (13.6%) experienced a wound separation. The composite wound complication rate was 16.4% (n = 108). Of the 515 cases with a skin coverage method noted, use of skin glue was associated with a marginal decrease in wound infections (p = 0.057), as well as a significantly reduced incidence of wound separation (p = 0.03) and composite wound complications (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Cyanoacrylate skin glue may be superior to Steri-strips for wound separation and composite wound complication rates when utilized with subcuticular suture at the time of cesarean delivery and may yield some benefit for prevention of wound infection.