Comparison of postoperative complications after Kustner and Pfannenstiel transverse suprapubic incisions

We compared postoperative morbidity with the Kustner (n = 53) and Pfannenstiel (n = 131) incisions in a consecutive series of women undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions. The incidence of febrile morbidity (15.1% vs 23.7%, χ² ₁ = 1.19, P = 0.28) and wound infection (5.7% vs 9.2%, P = 0.56, Fisher's exact test) were higher in the Pfannenstiel then in the Kustner group, but neither difference was statistically significant. One suprafascial hematoma was observed after a Kustner incision compared with eight subfascial hematomas after a Pfannenstiel incision (1.9% vs 6.1%, P = 0.45, Fisher's exact test). The postoperative 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 and usage.