CClinicalTrials.gg
Not yet recruitingNCT07846930Updated Sep 29, 2026

Timing of Cesarean Wound Dressing Removal on Wound Healing in Women With BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²

An observational study in Cesarean Section, Surgical Wound Infection and Wound Healing, sponsored by Assiut University. Not yet recruiting. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 35 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-29.

Sponsored by Assiut University · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
726
Ages
18 Years to 35 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

Cesarean delivery is one of the most common surgical procedures in obstetric care. Women with obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m² or higher) are at increased risk for postoperative wound complications, including surgical site infections, fluid collections (seroma/hematoma), and wound separation. Postoperative wound dressings protect the surgical incision, but the optimal timing for dressing removal remains uncertain, particularly for high-risk patients.

The purpose of this prospective cohort study is to compare wound healing and the occurrence of surgical site infections between two standard dressing removal schedules in women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² undergoing cesarean delivery.

Participants are observed in one of two groups according to standard hospital practice:

  • Group 1: The sterile wound dressing is removed at approximately 48 hours after surgery.
  • Group 2: The sterile wound dressing is removed at approximately 5 days after surgery.

Following dressing removal, incisions are assessed for signs of infection, drainage, swelling, and healing progress. The study aims to provide evidence on whether earlier dressing removal at 48 hours is safe and effective compared to delayed removal at 5 days in women with obesity.

02

Conditions studied

  • Cesarean Section
  • Surgical Wound Infection
  • Wound Healing
  • Obesity
  • Surgical Wound Dehiscence

Keywords

  • Cesarean delivery
  • Wound dressing
  • Dressing removal timing
  • Surgical site infection
  • Pfannenstiel incision
  • Postoperative care
  • Maternal obesity
  • Wound complications
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 35 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² undergoing cesarean delivery via a Pfannenstiel skin incision at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University Hospitals, and Malawi Specialized Hospital.

Inclusion criteria

  • Women aged 18 to 35 years
  • Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² measured before cesarean delivery or at admission
  • Undergoing cesarean delivery with a Pfannenstiel skin incision and primary skin closure

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pre-existing infection or inflammation at the planned incision site
  • Active systemic infection or fever prior to surgery
  • Clinical or subclinical chorioamnionitis
  • Major intraoperative contamination of the surgical field
  • Significant preoperative bleeding or anemia
  • Known bleeding or coagulation disorders that may significantly affect wound healing
  • Major postoperative complications requiring additional abdominal surgery
  • Inability or unwillingness to attend scheduled follow-up visits
04

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
726 participants (estimated)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • 48-Hour Dressing Removal

    Women with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² undergoing cesarean delivery with a Pfannenstiel skin incision whose standardized sterile wound dressing is removed at approximately 48 hours after surgery, followed by clinical wound inspection under aseptic conditions and routine postoperative care.

  • 5-Day Dressing Removal

    Women with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² undergoing cesarean delivery with a Pfannenstiel skin incision whose standardized sterile wound dressing is removed at approximately 5 days after surgery, followed by clinical wound inspection under aseptic conditions and routine postoperative care.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With Surgical Site Infection (SSI)

    Number of participants diagnosed with a surgical site infection (SSI) at the Pfannenstiel incision site. Assessment is performed using a standardized clinical wound-assessment form evaluating the presence of purulent discharge, localized erythema, heat, edema, or wound separation.

    Time frame: Up to 48 hours after dressing removal

06

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

07

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07846930
Lead sponsor
Assiut University
Responsible party
Mohamed Tawfik Abdelmalek Gomaa (Resident, Assiut University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Sep 29, 2026
Start date
Oct 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Oct 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Nov 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 29, 2026
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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