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Risk factors for incomplete healing of the uterine incision after caesarean section

  1. O Vikhareva Osser,
  2. L Valentin

Article first published online: 6 JUL 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02631.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 117, Issue 9, pages 1119–1126, August 2010

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How to Cite

Vikhareva Osser, O. and Valentin, L. (2010), Risk factors for incomplete healing of the uterine incision after caesarean section. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 117: 1119–1126. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02631.x

Author Information

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden

*Dr O Vikhareva Osser, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Malmö University Hospital, SE 205 02 Malmö, Sweden. Email olgavikhareva@hotmail.com

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 JUL 2010
  2. Article first published online: 6 JUL 2010
  3. Accepted 1 May 2010.

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Keywords:

  • caesarean scar defect;
  • caesarean section;
  • ultrasonography

Please cite this paper as: Vikhareva Osser O, Valentin L. Risk factors for incomplete healing of the uterine incision after caesarean section. BJOG 2010;117:1119–1126.

Objective  To determine which factors increase the risk of large caesarean scar defects as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound.

Design  Observational cross-sectional study.

Setting  University Hospital.

Population  One hundred and eight women who had undergone one caesarean section.

Methods  Transvaginal ultrasound examination of the scar in the uterus 6–9 months after the caesarean. Published ultrasound definitions of large scar defects were used. Clinical information was obtained from medical records after all ultrasound images had been evaluated.

Main outcome measures  Factors increasing the risk of large caesarean scar defects.

Results  Twenty-two (20%) women had a large caesarean scar defect. The odds of a large defect increased with cervical dilatation at caesarean (0 cm, 1–4 cm, 5–7 cm, 8 cm or more; odds ratio [OR] 4.4 [95% CI 0.7–28.5]; 26.5 [4.3–161.8]; and 32.4 [6.1–171.0]; P < 0.001), station of the presenting part at caesarean below pelvic inlet (OR 14.1 [4.6–43.1]; P < 0.001), duration of labour at caesarean (0 hour, 1–4 hours, 5–9 hours, 10 hours or more; OR 2.0 [0.2–23.8]; 13.0 [2.2–76.6]; and 33.1 [6.6–166.9]; P < 0.001), oxytocin augmentation (OR 6.3, [2.3–17.3]; P < 0.001), retroflexed uterus at ultrasound examination (OR 2.9 [1.0–8.3]; P = 0.047). According to multivariate logistic regression no variable added information to cervical dilatation or the station of the presenting fetal part at caesarean.

Conclusions  Caesarean in advanced labour is associated with increased risk of incomplete healing of the uterine incision as determined by transvaginal ultrasound.

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