Incidence and influencing factors for surgical site infections after cesarean section in China: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Objective This study aims to estimate the overall incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) after cesarean section (CS) and the influencing factors in the Chinese population. Materials and Methods The study searched all relevant literature in English and Chinese search databases (English search bases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science; Chinese search bases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and China Science and Technology Journal Database) up to March 19, 2024, according to the search strategy. A random/fixed effects model was decided on the basis of the I2 statistic assessing the magnitude of study heterogeneity, and publication bias was assessed using the Begg's test. Results After the selection, a final selection of 25 articles was involved. The estimate of post‐CS SSIs in China was 2.4% (95%CI: 0.019, 0.029). Age ≥30 years (WMD: 3.8), pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (WMD: 1.8), obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 3.0), vaginal cleanliness 3–4 (OR: 4.2), anemia (OR: 1.4), premature rupture of membranes (OR: 2.6), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.7), National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System 1–3 (OR: 5.6), emergency surgery (OR: 2.3), trial of labor (OR: 2.9), duration of surgery ≥60 min (OR: 2.0), and intraoperative blood loss >500 mL (OR: 3.5) were the risk factors for post‐CS SSIs. Conclusions The rate of post‐CS SSIs estimated was 2.4% in China. Both maternal conditions and surgical factors can potentially increase the risk of post‐CS SSIs.