Objective:

Objective: To evaluate healing by secondary intention in obstetric and gynecological surgical wounds complicated by abdominal wall abscess.

Methods:

A prospective, descriptive, analytical, and observational study was conducted in 38 patients with abdominal wall abscess after cesarean section or gynecological surgery in whom healing by second intention of the wound was implemented. The data obtained were expressed as absolute values, in percentages and as mean + standard deviation. ANOVA was applied to analyze the factors that influenced wound closure time, considering a p-value < 0.05 as statistically significant.

Results:

Regarding the average general characteristics, age was 29.66 ± 10.65 years, weight 72.18 ± 14.21 kg, height 1.62 ± 0.05 meters, and body mass index 27.62 ± 4.58 Kg/m2. For risk factors, previous abdominal surgeries 44.74%, urinary tract infection 21.05%, vaginal discharge 28.95%, premature rupture of membranes 18.42%, hypertension 39.47%, diabetes 5.26%, obesity 31.58% and smoking 10.53%. The most frequent germ was Staphylococcus aureus (35.14%). A total of 52.63% required a change of antibiotic. Dressings were used in 55.26 %. It took an average of 31.30 ± 8.40 days to close the wound. Patients spent 12.61 ± 5.78 days in hospitalization.

Conclusions:

Good aesthetic and functional results were obtained; the use of dressings does not accelerate the wound healing time.