COMPARISON OF POST CESAREAN WOUND INFECTION WITH OR WITHOUT USE OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE DURING CESAREAN WOUND CLEANING

Background: Post-cesarean wound infection remains a significant concern, contributing to maternal morbidity and healthcare costs. While normal saline is widely used for wound irrigation, hydrogen peroxide possesses strong antimicrobial and tissue-cleansing properties that may enhance wound healing. Despite its potential benefits, its use in cesarean wound care remains underexplored. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide versus normal saline in reducing post-cesarean wound infections and promoting faster healing. Objective: To compare the post-cesarean wound infection rate and healing time between hydrogen peroxide and normal saline irrigation during wound cleaning. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, enrolling 204 women undergoing elective or emergency cesarean sections. Participants were randomized into two groups: hydrogen peroxide (Group A, n=102) and normal saline (Group B, n=102). The surgical wound was irrigated with the allocated solution before closure. Wound healing was monitored for four weeks, and infections were defined by clinical criteria. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and logistic regression to compare outcomes. Results: Faster wound healing (<7 days) was observed in 43.1% of Group A compared to 20.6% of Group B, while delayed healing (>9 days) was more frequent in Group B (28.4%) than in Group A (18.6%) (p=0.0024). Wound infections occurred in 14.7% of Group A and 29.4% of Group B (p=0.0181). Logistic regression confirmed a significant reduction in infection risk with hydrogen peroxide. Conclusion: Hydrogen peroxide significantly enhances wound healing and reduces post-cesarean wound infections compared to normal saline. Its routine use in cesarean wound care could improve maternal recovery and postoperative outcomes.