The purpose of the CSCAR pilot study is to improve the design of a full-scale trial by determining the patient recruitment rate and participation rate. The objective of the full-scale trial is to determine the optimal method of skin closure after Caesarean delivery in women with chorioamnionitis, which is an acute inflammation of the membranes and chorion of the placenta, seen typically after rupture of membranes with ascending polymicrobial bacterial infection. Women in labour with chorioamnionitis will be randomized at the time of Caesarean delivery to skin closure with either staples or sutures. The women will be followed at 6 weeks and 6 months post-partum in order to establish the occurrence of surgical site infection and wound disruption, as well as evaluation of the scar and other secondary questions. The investigators hypothesis is that closure of skin with sutures will have a rate of wound infection that is no higher than the rate of wound infection when closing skin with staples. The investigators also hypothesize that closure with sutures will have a decreased rate of wound disruption, increased patient satisfaction and decreased length of hospital stay compared to skin closure with staples.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
A running subcuticular suture is placed by taking horizontal bites through the papillary dermis on alternating sides of the wound. An absorbable suture is used and left in place until degraded and absorbed by the patient's tissues.
Surgical stapling devices re-appose skin edges with stainless steel or titanium staples. A second operator everts the wound skin edges while the operator applies staples along the incision. Staples can be removed on post-operative day 2 or 3, or delayed further according the surgeon preference based on patient characteristics.
Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
RECRUITINGPatient recruitment rate
The patient recruitment rate will be calculated as the total number of women successfully recruited to the trial divided by the total duration of the trial.
Time frame: 1 year
Follow-up rates
Number of women successfully contacted at 6 weeks and at 6 months post-partum divided by the total number of women randomized in the trial
Time frame: 6 months post-operative
Wound infection
Number of women who experience a wound infection divided by the total number of eligible women who participate in the trial.
Time frame: 6 months post-operative
Wound disruption
Number of women who experience a wound disruption divided by the total number of eligible women who participate in the trial.
Time frame: 6 months post-operative
Wound cosmesis
Wound cosmesis will be assessed using the POSAS Observer scale, which is directed at physicians, and the POSAS Patient scale, which is directed at patients
Time frame: 6 months post-operative
Patient satisfaction
Using the POSAS Patient Scale, patient satisfaction will be assessed.
Time frame: 6 months post-operative
Participation rate
The trial participation rate will be calculated as the percentage of eligible women who agreed to participate in the trial divided by the total number of eligible women approached to participate in the trial.
Time frame: 1 year
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