COMPARISON OF POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AFTER KUSTNER AND PFANNENSTIEL TRANSVERSE SUPRAPUBIC INCISIONS

We compared postoperative morbidity with the Kustner (n=53) and Pfanne nstiel (n=131) incisions in a consecutive series of women undergoing s urgery for benign gynecological conditions. The incidence of febrile m orbidity (15.1% vs 23.7%, chi(1)(2)=1.19, P=0.28) and wound infection (5.7% vs 9.2%, P=0.56, Fisher's exact test) were higher in the Pfannen stiel then in the Kustner group, but neither difference was statistica lly significant. One suprafascial hematoma was observed after a Kustne r incison compared with eight subfascial hematomas after a Pfannenstie l incision (1.9% vs 6.1%, P=0.45, Fisher's exact test). The postoperat ive hospital stay was statistically significantly lower in the Kustner than in the Pfannenstiel group (6.3+/-1.4 vs 7.1+/-1.2 days, P<0.01, Student's t test). The Kustner incision warrants further evaluation an d usage.