Detection of scar dehiscence at delivery in women with prior cesarean section.

Transcervical examination of a prior cesarean scar after vaginal delivery is commonly advised. A retrospective study of 1023 parturients with prior cesarean delivery was undertaken, 475 of whom delivered vaginally. Thirteen cases of scar dehiscence were found at laparotomy, and only one case was discovered by transcervical examination. The value of routine postdelivery examination of uterine scar is doubtful.     

Ectopic pregnancy in a cesarean section scar

A combination of systemic chemotherapy, feticide with intrachest and intra-abdominal injection with methotrexate, and hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage to remove the gestational tissue was successful in the treatment of a cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy. This case presents images of the ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and pathologic features unique to a cesarean scar pregnancy.     

True rupture/scar dehiscence in delivery following prior section

Fear of uterine rupture has led to the widespread practice of 'Once a section, always a section'. Between 1972 and 1982, 1498 patients with one or more previous cesarean sections were delivered at University College Hospital, Galway. Trial of labor was undertaken in 844 patients, while the remaining 654 patients underwent repeat elective section because they had two or more prior sections. Eight true ruptures and 22 scar dehiscences were found. Regional analgesia and oxytocin did not significantly affect the rate of true rupture. The mean parity with uterine rupture was five, and it occurred most frequently in the initial trial of labor. There were four perinatal deaths associated with true rupture. Failure to detect the already compromised fetus before labor and delivery, rather than the method of delivery, was responsible for fetal demise in some instances. Five true ruptures were found in the trial of labor group (i.e. a ratio of 1:169), with the loss of three babies. A further baby was stillborn in a mother who ruptured a classical scar before labor. There were no maternal deaths in trial-of-labor patients and one in the elective section group. Two patients with true rupture had their uterus repaired, and were subsequently delivered by section. Another two patients with bloodless dehiscence and no repair, had two subsequent elective repeat sections each, and the unrepaired scar dehiscence was not evident.     

The consequences of previous uterine scar dehiscence and cesarean delivery on subsequent births

Objective

To determine whether women with a previous uterine scar dehiscence are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in the following delivery.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all subsequent singleton cesarean deliveries performed at the Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel, between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 2011. Clinical and demographic characteristics, maternal obstetric complications, and fetal complications were evaluated among women with or without a previous documented uterine scar dehiscence.

Results

Of the 5635 pregnancies associated with at least two previous cesarean deliveries, 180 (3.2%) occurred among women with a previous uterine scar dehiscence. Women with this condition in a prior pregnancy were more likely than those without previous uterine scar dehiscence to experience subsequent preterm delivery (86 [47.8%] vs 1350 [24.7%]; P < 0.001), low birth weight (47 [26.1%] vs 861 [15.8%]; P < 0.001), and peripartum hysterectomy (5 [2.8%] vs 20 [0.4%]; P < 0.001). Nevertheless, previous uterine scar dehiscence did not increase the risk of uterine rupture, placenta accreta, or adverse perinatal outcomes, such as low Apgar scores at 5 minutes and perinatal mortality.

Conclusion

Uterine scar dehiscence in a previous pregnancy is a potential risk factor for preterm delivery, low birth weight, and peripartum hysterectomy in the following pregnancy.     

剖宫产瘢痕处早期妊娠临床特点及处理

目的　探讨剖宫产子宫瘢痕处妊娠的病例特点和处理方法。　方法　回顾性分析2 0 0 0年 4月至 2 0 0 3年 3月收治的 5例子宫下段剖宫产瘢痕处妊娠患者临床资料。　结果　 5例患者停经 6～ 8周后均有无痛性不规则阴道出血 ,5例患者均在超声监测下行清宫术 ,取得良好结局 ,无一例发生大流血或子宫切除。　结论　有剖宫产史的患者再次妊娠时 ,有发生子宫瘢痕处妊娠的可能 ,诊断时尤其要注意该病的临床特点 ,为防止子宫穿孔可采取超声监测下清宫术及辅助局部氨甲喋呤注射、纱布填塞创面止血等方法。术后应继续进行血hCG、超声等监测。降低剖宫产率和产后严格避孕是主要的预防办法。     

Laparoscopic and vaginal repair of uterine scar dehiscence following cesarean section as detected by ultrasound

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Cesarean section (CS) is the most common operation in obstetrics, with rising incidence in most countries. As a result of this operation late scar dehiscence may occur, which may lead to uterine rupture in a subsequent pregnancy. In this case series we have described sonographic detection of scar dehiscence after CS and feasibility of vaginal or combined laparoscopic and vaginal scar excision and uterine repair. METHODS: Five consecutive patients underwent vaginal or laparoscopic assisted vaginal approach for repair of suspected scar dehiscence following CS, during a 5 year period. In all cases, transvaginal sonography detected suspicious features of scar dehiscence over the anterior uterine wall. Except of one, all patients had reported recurrent pelvic pain and/or irregular menstrual bleedings. Furthermore all patients planned for a further pregnancy. RESULTS: Resection of the uterine defect and re-constitution of the uterine wall was successfully achieved in all five patients. There were no intra-operative complications and none of the patients required blood transfusion. The mean operation time was 117 min (27-192). Presence of scar tissue was confirmed on histology in all specimens. Four patients remained free of symptoms with no evidence of recurrent scar dehiscence on sonography over a median follow up of 30 months (3-46). One patient had an uneventful pregnancy 24 months after scar removal and was delivered by repeat CS at 39 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSION: Patients with a history of CS should undergo transvaginal sonography of the scar region in order to detect latent scar dehiscence in combination with uterine wall thinning prior to planning further pregnancy. In suspected cases, a combined laparoscopic - vaginal or vaginal approach can be employed to repair the defect.     

Desmoid tumor arising in a cesarean section scar during pregnancy: monitoring and management.

Desmoid tumors (DTs) are frequently associated with either surgical trauma, like scars, or physiologic trauma, like pregnancy. A DT arising in a cesarean scar during pregnancy shows both correlations. A case of DT that grew gradually in a cesarean scar during the first trimester of a subsequent pregnancy is presented. After initial MR imaging, the lesion was biopsied and carefully monitored; immediate surgical removal was considered at any time if indicated by the follow-up results. No increase in the tumor size was observed during the following 6 months of gestation, and the lesion was extirpated with mesh replacement of the abdominal defect at the time of cesarean section.     

Placenta accreta and cesarean scar pregnancy: overlooked costs of the rising cesarean section rate

An unintended consequence of the rising cesarean section rate is abnormal placentation in subsequent pregnancies, leading to the clinical complications of placenta accreta and cesarean scar pregnancies. Both of these clinical entities are associated with high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the potential mechanisms by which uterine scarring may lead to abnormal trophoblast invasion, the association of cesarean section with placenta accreta and scar pregnancies, current management, and suggestions for future research to reduce the incidence of these potentially devastating complications of pregnancy.     

Feasibility of prediction of cesarean section scar dehiscence in the third trimester by three-dimensional ultrasound

Purpose: To assess the role of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound mutiplanar view in prediction of cesarean section (CS) scars dehiscence.

Subjects and methods: One hundred pregnant women with previous CS scars were investigated by ultrasound to measure the scar thickness by 2D ultrasound and to depict the uterine wall by 3D coronal plane, using 3D multiplanar view. Straight line cut section by 3D multiplanar view was used and prediction of dehiscence was by detecting fenestration of the wall.

Results: Operative findings revealed that 95 cases (95%) of the studied group had intact uterine scar, while dehiscence was detected among five ladies (5%). Validity of 3D U/S versus operative findings revealed a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 99% and accuracy 99%. C technique was superior to straight line technique in multiplanar view for assessment of the scars.

Conclusion: Three-dimensional ultrasound is useful in prediction of dehiscent scars during pregnancy with perfect sensitivity. Machines with the availability of C dissection in the multiplanar view are more useful in this field.     

Delayed postpartum hemorrhage due to cesarean scar dehiscence

Case report A 28-year-old woman presented with massive postpartum hemorrhage. Laparotomy revealed a cesarean scar dehiscence due to wound infection.Conclusion Although postpartum hemorrhage due to cesarean scar dehiscence is an unusual complication, practitioners should add dehiscence to their differential diagnoses.