Assessing C-section risk with Smith+Nephew: join the webinar
Wednesday, 4 June 2025

In the world of obstetric surgery, the impact of surgical site complications (SSC) and surgical site infections (SSI) after a caesarean section cannot be overstated. These complications not only affect the wellbeing of new mothers but also place a significant burden on our healthcare system.¹ ²

Our valued Platinum Partner Smith+Nephew offers solutions designed to help new mums on the road to recovery after a caesarean section. In a free webinar for healthcare professionals on 11 June, Rural and Remote Obstetrician Gynaecologist A/Prof Jared Watts will explore co-caring strategies for managing dehisced caesarean section wounds.

Did you know?

  • 1 in 3 deliveries in Australia are caesarean sections.³
  • Approximately 15% of C-section patients with a BMI over 30 kg/m² experience a wound complication.⁴ 
  • Superficial SSIs can lead to deeper infections including endometriosis.⁵ 
  • 1 in 10 mothers who suffer an infection⁵ may face:
    • Increased hospital time and anxiety⁶
    • Separation from newborn
    • Disruption to breastfeeding and bonding⁷
  • Infections may extend hospital stays by an additional 4 days.⁸ 

Why accurate risk assessment matters

To provide the highest level of care to patients undergoing caesarean sections, a proactive approach is essential to identify those at risk of complications. This isn't just routine – it's vital to improving outcomes.

  • Timely Intervention: Early identification enables faster care.⁹
  • Customized Care: Tailored treatment based on individual risk.⁹
  • Better Outcomes: Reduced SSC risk and improved satisfaction.⁹

A new standard of caesarean section incision care.

The PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System (sNPWT) has been shown to help reduce the risk of SSI and shorten hospital stays for high-risk caesarean patients.*¹⁰–¹²

  • 50% reduction in SSIs for patients with pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 30.¹⁰
  • Improved scar satisfaction within 6 months.¹³
  • Fewer hatch marks at 6 and 12 months.¹³
  • Pain reduction – lower pain scores on post-op day 2.¹⁴
  • Cost savings – lower costs for patients with BMI ≥ 35.¹¹

Ready to take action?

These clinical and economic benefits highlight the importance of a well-rounded, team-based approach to managing high-risk caesarean patients. But how can clinicians apply these strategies in daily care — especially when faced with complications like wound dehiscence?

Watch the webinar on demand

Join Smith+Nephew for an informative session exploring co-caring strategies for managing dehisced caesarean section wounds. Discover practical approaches and collaborative care techniques to optimise healing and improve maternal well-being. Co-caring for Pregnant Women: The Dehisced Caesarean Section Wound is presented by A/Prof Jared Watts FRANZCOG, Rural and Remote Obstetrician Gynaecologist. Catch it on demand.

Wounds Australia Partners

This article is brought to you by Wounds Australia Platinum Partner Smith+Nephew. Wounds Australia partners with industry leaders, peak bodies and other membership associations to bring the best products, research and resources to helping medical professionals deliver best practice care. Find out more about our partners.

Citations

  1. Bullough L, Burns S, Timmons J, Truman P, Megginson S. Reducing c-section wound complications. The Clinical Services Journal. 2015:2-6.
  2. Jenks P, Laurent M, et al. Clinical and economic burden of surgical site infections (SSI) and predicted financial consequences of elimination of SSI from an English hospital. J HospInfect. 2014;86(1):24-33. 
  3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) National Core Maternity Indicators, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 27 May 2024. 
  4. Gillespie B, Ellwood D, Thalib L, et al. Incidence and risk factors for surgical wound complications in women with body mass index >30 kg/m2 following cesarean delivery: a secondary analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol Glob Rep 2022;2:100069. 
  5. Wloch C et al. Risk factors for surgical infections following C-section. BJOG. 2012;119(11):1324-33. 
  6. Bullough L and Wilkinson D. Changing wound care protocols to reduce post-operative caesarean section complications. Presented at Wounds UK, Harrogate, 2012. 
  7. Hoff CE, Movva N, Rosen Vollmar AK, Pérez-Escamilla R. Impact of Maternal Anxiety on Breastfeeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Adv Nutr. 2019 Sep 1;10(5):816-826. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmy132. PMID: 31079143; PMCID: PMC6743815. 
  8. Henman, K., Gordon, C. L., Gardiner, T., Thorn, J., Spain, B., Davies, J., & Baird, R. (2012). Surgical site infections following caesarean section at Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory. Healthcare Infection, 17(2), 47-51. https://doi.org/10.1071/HI11027 NHS England, 2023. Earlier screening, risk assessment and health optimisation in perioperative pathways: guide for providers and integrated care boards. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/earlier-screening-risk-assessment-and-health-optimisation-in-perioperative-pathways// [Last accessed: May 2024]. 
  9. Hyldig N, Vinter CA, Kruse M, et al. Prophylactic incisional negative pressure wound therapy reduces the risk of surgical site infection after caesarean section in obese women: A pragmatic randomised clinical trial. BJOG. 2019;126:628-635. 
  10. Hyldig N, Joergensen JS, Wu C, et al. Cost-effectiveness of incisional negative pressure wound therapy compared with standard care after caesarean section in obese women: a trial-based economic evaluation. BJOG. 2019;126(5):619-627. 
  11. Saunders C, et al. A single use negative pressure system reduces surgical site complications compared with conventional dressings in closed surgical incisions: a systematic literature review with meta-analysis. Poster presented at the European Wound Management Association annual meeting, June 5-7, 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden. 
  12. Hyldig N, Möller S, Joergensen JS, Bille C. Clinical evaluation of scar quality following the use of prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy in obese women undergoing cesarean delivery: a trial-based scar evaluation. Ann Plast Surg. 2020 Jul 10. [Epub ahead of print] 
  13. Tuuli MG, Martin S, Stout MJ, Steiner HL, Harper LM, Longo S, Cahill AG, Tita AT, Macones GA. 412: Pilot randomized trial of prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy in obese women after cesarean delivery. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2017 Jan 1;216(1):S245. 
  14. NICE (2019) PICO negative pressure wound dressings for closed surgical incisions [online] accessible from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg43 [Last accessed: April 2024].