Using antimicrobial Surgihoney to prevent caesarean wound infection

Caesarean section (CS) wound infection rates are unacceptably high; around 10% according to figures from the Health Protection Agency (2012) . This service evaluation assessed the effects of Surgihoney on surgical site infection rates in women undergoing caesarean section. All women presenting for CS were offered Surgihoney as a single application wound dressing at the end of the procedure. All women were followed up and examined for surgical site infection for 30 days after CS. A single application of Surgihoney dressing reduced surgical site infection (SSI) by 60.33% from a rate of 5.42% (n=590) to 2.15% (n=186) (p-value=0.042). The potential saving to the NHS of using Surgihoney as a single application achieving this level of wound infection reduction is considerable. Surgihoney offers a simple, cost-effective intervention to reduce SSI in women undergoing CS. It is applicable to practice in all health economies and could potentially save considerable surgical infective morbidity in patients undergoing surgical delivery.