Effect of bupivacaine-soaked spongostan in cesarean section wound on postoperative maternal health

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of bupivacaine-soaked spongostan in cesarean section wound for postoperative anxiety level, satisfaction and early postpartum depression rate. Methods: A total of 121 women, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II, scheduled to undergo general anesthesia and elective cesarean section were recruited and randomized into a study group (n = 61) or a control group (n = 60). In the spongostan group, bupivacaine-soaked spongostan was placed in the cesarean section wound. The control group did not receive spongostan, but only general postoperative care. Maternal health was assessed using a visual analog scale for satisfaction, a visual analog scale for anxiety and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale for postpartum depression. Also, first breast-feeding time, first mobilization time and opioid consumption were recorded and compared. Results: The anxiety level of the spongostan group was lower than that of the control group and the difference was statistically significant at all time intervals (1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 48 h, p < 0.001, respectively). Postpartum depression rate again was significantly lower in the spongostan group both on postoperative day 2 and day 9 (p ≤ 0.01). All satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the spongostan group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, first breast-feeding and first mobilization times were significantly shorter and opioid consumption was lower in the spongostan group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Placement of bupivacaine-soaked spongostan into the cesarean section wound resulted in decreased postoperative anxiety level and postpartum depression rate and increased satisfaction. © 2014 Springer-Verlag.