UNASSIGNED: To compare the short-term results of classic single-layer uterine closure and double-layer purse-string uterine closure (Turan technique) techniques in cesarean section in terms of the incidence of ischiocele formation.
UNASSIGNED: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial study. Participants undergoing first-time cesarean delivery were randomized into two groups. Fifty-eight participants were included in the double-layered uterine closure group (study group), while 53 participants were randomized into the classical single-layered uterine closure group (control group). For comparison of isthmocele formation, transvaginal ultrasound examination was planned in all patients 6 weeks after surgery. The operation data,the formation of isthmocele, its dimensions and volume were recorded.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 111 women were included in the study. The incidence of ischiocele at 6 weeks after birth was not significantly different between the groups (p=0.128). Isthmosel was detected in 20.8% of single-layer closures, and this rate was determined as 10.3% in the purse technique. In the Kerr incision made during surgery, the uterine incision size did not differ in either group, but the uterine incision length after suturing was significantly smaller in the purse technique compared with the other group (p<0.001).
UNASSIGNED: The incidence of ischiocele formation after cesarean section and the depth of the ischiocele was independent of the uterotomy closure technique.

BACKGROUND: Despite awareness of obstetricians to the constant increase in the number of cesarean sections in recent years, the fear of a uterine scar rupture is still present and influences the choice of the mode of delivery in patients with two previous cesarean sections. However, several clinical studies have suggested that, under certain conditions, vaginal birth after two cesarean sections is usually successful and safe.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare maternal and neonatal issues according to the planned mode of delivery in patients with two previous cesarean sections.
METHODS: It was a retrospective observational comparative study at Rennes University Hospital between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2020. We performed a propensity score for the comparison of neonatal outcomes: cord pH, cord lactates, Apgar scores, transfer to neonatal unit and deaths, according to the planned delivery mode. Secondary outcomes were maternal issues: uterine rupture, post-partum hemorrhage, deaths.
RESULTS: A total of 410 patients with two previous cesarean section were eligible for our study. Prophylactic cesarean was performed in 358 cases (87.3%). Trial of labor was attempted in the 52 remaining patients (12.7%), 67.3 % of whom were successful. Neonatal weight, APGAR score at 1-5-10 min, and pH on cord blood were comparable in both groups. One case of uterine rupture occurred in the trial of labor group.
CONCLUSIONS: Trial of labor seems to be a reasonable option for women with two previous cesarean sections in a selected population.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated isthmocele rate, residual myometrium thickness, blood loss, and closure lengths through comparing the classical primary continuous suturing (CPCS) and novel technique uterine suturing (NTUS) after caesarian section.
METHODS: A total of 402 C/S patients were included in this single-center prospective clinical study. All patients were divided into two groups according to suture technique. Classical primary continuous suturing (CPCS) was applied to the patients in Group 1, while the novel technique uterine suturing (NTUS) was applied in Group 2 as Z suture on both corners and 8 sutures in the remaining middle part incision closure.
RESULTS: Patients in the NTUS group bled less than in the CPCS groups (p < 0.0001). Incision length after closure was longer in the CPCS than in the NTUS (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the number of sutures we applied was higher in the CPCS (p < 0.0001). In comparison of residual myometrium thickness, the mean values measured 197 ± 50 mm in the NTUS and 146 ± 39 mm in the CPCS (p < 0.0001). Residual myometrium thickness showed a negative strong correlation with incision length after closure (r = -0.436; p < 0.0001), how many times the needles have been passed (r = -0.423; p < 0.0001) and time for suturing (r = -0.237; p < 0.0001). NTUS and CPCS groups were similar in comparison to isthmocele.
CONCLUSIONS: The NTUS, termed as Erkayiran\'s suture, showed a successful reflection in our surgical cesarean section application compared to the classical suture. Although the occurrence of isthmocele in patients was similar, results were quite successful operationally in terms of both minimal blood loss and increased residual myometrium thickness.

OBJECTIVE: Worldwide, the overall cesarean section is rising. Trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) is an overall safe option with an immediate impact on neonatal and maternal short- and long-term health. Since the use of prostaglandins in cervical ripening is associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture, mechanical methods as balloon catheters or osmotic dilators have been suggested for cervical ripening prior to induction of labour. Here we are analyzing and comparing the VBAC rate, as well as maternal and fetal outcome in cervical ripening prior to TOLAC.
METHODS: This prospective dual center study analyses maternal and neonatal outcomes of TOLAC in women with an unfavorable cervix requiring cervical ripening agent. The prospective application of an osmotic dilator (Dilapan-S, n=104) was analysed in comparison to the retrospective application of off-label dinoprostone (n=102).
RESULTS: The overall fetal and neonatal outcome revealed no significant differences in both groups. Patients receiving cervical ripening with the osmotic dilator delivered vaginally/by ventouse in 52% of cases, compared to 53% when using dinoprostone (p=0.603). The interval between application to onset of labor was significantly higher in the osmotic dilator group (37.9 vs.20.7 h, p=<0.001). However, time from onset of labor to delivery was similar in both groups (7.93 vs. 7.44 h, p=0.758). There was one case of uterine rupture in the dinoprostone group.
CONCLUSIONS: Our data shows that the application of the osmotic dilator leads to similar outcomes in VBAC rate and time from onset of labor to delivery as well as safety in both groups compared to off-label use dinoprostone. Cervical ripening using the mechanical dilator is a viable and effective option, without the risk of uterine hyperstimulation.

UNASSIGNED: To compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes of placenta previa (PP) with and without coverage of a uterine scar in Foshan, China.
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective cohort study comparing all singleton pregnancies with PP was conducted at a tertiary, university-affiliated medical center from 1 January 2012 to 31 April 2017 in Foshan, China. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records (EMRs). Maternal and neonatal outcomes of PP with and without coverage of a uterine scar were compared by statistical method.
UNASSIGNED: There were 58,062 deliveries during the study period, of which 726 (1.25%) were complicated PP in singleton pregnancies and were further classified into two groups: the PP with coverage of a uterine scar group (PPCS, n=154) and the PP without coverage of a uterine scar group (Non-PPCS, n=572). Overall, premature birth (<37 weeks, 67.5% vs 54.8%; P=0.019), cesarean section (100% vs 97.6%; P=0.050), intraoperative blood loss >1000 mL (77.9% vs 16.0%; P<0.001) or >3000mL (29.9% vs 3.0%; P<0.001), bleeding within 2-24 hours after delivery (168.2±370.1 ml vs 49.9±58.4 ml; P<0.001), postpartum hemorrhage (48.7% vs 15.7%; P<0.001), transfusion (34.6% vs 16.1%; P<0.001), hemorrhage shock (7.8% vs 1.9%; P<0.001), hysterectomy (2.6% vs 0.5%; P=0.019), fetal distress (35.7% vs 12.1%; P<0.001) and APGAR score at 1 min (15.2% vs 7.1%; P=0.002) had a significant difference between PPCS group and Non-PPCS group. After grouping by whether complicated with placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PASD), we found that PPCS was significant associated with more intraoperative blood loss >1000mL, intraoperative blood loss >3000mL, bleeding within 2-24 hours after delivery and fetal distress than the Non-PPCS group.
UNASSIGNED: The PPCS group had poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes than the Non-PPCS group after grouping by whether pregnancies complicated with PASD or with different placental positions.

BACKGROUND: Uterine rupture is an obstetric emergency associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity. The main risk factor is a prior cesarean section, with rupture occurring in subsequent labor. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of uterine rupture by labor duration and labor management.
METHODS: This is a Swedish register-based cohort study of women who underwent labor in 2013-2018 after a primary cesarean section (n = 20 046). Duration of labor was the main exposure, calculated from onset of regular labor contractions and birth; both timepoints were retrieved from electronic medical records for 12 583 labors, 63% of the study population. Uterine rupture was calculated as events per 1000 births at different timepoints during labor. Risk estimates for uterine rupture by labor duration, induction of labor, use of oxytocin and epidural analgesia were calculated using Poisson regression, adjusted for maternal and birth characteristics. Estimates were presented as adjusted rate ratios (ARR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS: The prevalence of uterine rupture was 1.4% (282/20 046 deliveries). Labor duration was 9.88 hours (95% CI 8.93-10.83) for women with uterine rupture, 8.20 hours (95% CI 8.10-8.31) for women with vaginal delivery, and 10.71 hours (95% CI 10.46-10.97) for women with cesarean section without uterine rupture. Few women (1.0/1000) experienced uterine rupture during the first 3 hours of labor. Uterine rupture occurred in 15.6/1000 births with labor duration over 12 hours. The highest risk for uterine rupture per hour compared with vaginal delivery was observed at 6 hours (ARR 1.20, 95% CI 1.11-1.30). Induction of labor was associated with uterine rupture (ARR 1.54, 95% CI 1.19-1.99), with a particular high risk seen in those induced with prostaglandins and no risk observed with cervical catheter (ARR 1.19, 95% CI 0.83-1.71). Labor augmentation with oxytocin (ARR 1.60, 95% CI 1.25-2.05) and epidural analgesia (ARR 1.63, 95% CI 1.27-2.10) were also associated with uterine rupture.
CONCLUSIONS: Labor duration is an independent factor for uterine rupture among women attempting vaginal delivery after cesarean section. Medical induction and augmentation of labor increase the risk, regardless of maternal and birth characteristics.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) carries a high burden of adverse maternal outcomes, especially significant blood loss, which can be life-threatening. Different management strategies have been proposed but the association of clinical risk factors and surgical management options during cesarean delivery with high blood loss is not clear.
In this international multicenter study, 338 women with PAS undergoing cesarean delivery were included. Fourteen European and one non-European center (USA) provided cases treated retrospectively between 2008 and 2014 and prospectively from 2014 to 2019. Peripartum blood loss was estimated visually and/or by weighing and measuring of volume. Participants were grouped based on blood loss above or below the 75th percentile (>3500 ml) and the 90th percentile (>5500 ml).
Placenta percreta was found in 58% of cases. Median blood loss was 2000 ml (range: 150-20 000 ml). Unplanned hysterectomy was associated with an increased risk of blood loss >3500 ml when compared with planned hysterectomy (adjusted OR [aOR] 3.7 [1.5-9.4], p = 0.01). Focal resection was associated with blood loss comparable to that of planned hysterectomy (crude OR 0.7 [0.2-2.1], p = 0.49). Blood loss >3500 ml was less common in patients undergoing successful conservative management (placenta left in situ, aOR 0.1 [0.0-0.6], p = 0.02) but was more common in patients who required delayed hysterectomy (aOR 6.5 [1.7-24.4], p = 0.001). Arterial occlusion methods (uterine or iliac artery ligation, embolization or intravascular balloons), application of uterotonic medication or tranexamic acid showed no significant effect on blood loss >3500 ml. Patients delivered by surgeons without experience in PAS were more likely to experience blood loss >3500 ml (aOR 3.0 [1.4-6.4], p = 0.01).
In pregnant women with PAS, the likelihood of blood loss >3500 ml was reduced in planned vs unplanned cesarean delivery, and when the surgery was performed by a specialist experienced in the management of PAS. This reinforces the necessity of delivery by an expert team. Conservative management was also associated with less blood loss, but only if successful. Therefore, careful patient selection is of great importance. Our study showed no consistent benefit of other adjunct measures such as arterial occlusion techniques, uterotonics or tranexamic acid.

Cesarean deliveries are commonly performed throughout the world. Although the uterine closure technique following this procedure may influence how the uterine scar heals, there is insufficient evidence for choosing the appropriate technique and so preventing long-term negative consequences. This prospective, randomized study examined the effects of single- and double-layer uterine closure techniques on uterine scar healing following cesarean delivery.
This study assessed a total of 282 women aged 18-45 years who were in gestational weeks 24-41 of singleton pregnancies. None had previously undergone uterine surgeries. These participants completed their first cesarean deliveries at the time of study and were randomized into the following two treatment groups: single-layer closure with locking and double-layer closure with locking in the first layer, but not in the second layer (NCT03629028). However, the decidua was not included for treatment in either group. Participants were evaluated at 6-9 months after cesarean section by saline infusion sonohysterography to assess cesarean delivery scar defects. These procedures were conducted by experienced sonographers who were not aware of the uterine closure technique.
Of the 225 final participants, 109 received the single-layer closure technique, whereas 116 received the double-layer technique. The niche rates were 37% (n = 40) for the single-layer group and 45.7% (n = 53) for the double-layer group (P = .22, relative risk 1.4, 95% CI = 0.8-4.4).
The single- and double-layer closure techniques did not produce different impacts on uterine scar niche development.

Adolescent pregnancies are associated with a high number of risks for the newborn and mother. Hence, an increased number of emergency caesarean extractions are performed in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the pregnancy-related conditions, the way of delivery and the neonatal outcome of all the patients who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, a tertiary unit in Romania in a period of 5 years. An observational, retrospective study was performed on a group of 686 patients, aged 12 to 19 years, who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018. The pregnant women were divided into two age groups. In the first group were pregnant patients aged under 18 years, and in the second group pregnant adolescents between 18 and 19 years. Whether the patients underwent prenatal screening was analyzed. Furthermore, the age of the patients, the rate of caesarean extraction and vaginal birth and the obstetrical complications were evaluated and compared. The outcome of the newborns was assessed based on Apgar score at 1 min and birth weight. Regarding the results, 464 of the 686 patients did not undergo any medical visits during pregnancy. In total, 52.76% of the patients delivered by caesarean section. The most frequent indications for caesarean extraction, in both analyzed groups, were Cephalo-pelvic disproportion, fetal distress and uterine scar after caesarean section. The lack of specific protocols regarding the ante-, peri- and post-natal management of adolescents is probably the cause of the alarmingly increasing number of patients pertaining to the group who deliver by caesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by means of elastography if the quantitative assessment of the cesarean scar elasticity is feasible using as reference the surrounding intact myometrium and to investigate if the cesarean scar stiffness is influenced by the clinical characteristics of the previous cesarean delivery.
METHODS: Prospective study including women with a previous Cesarean Section (CS) ≥ 37 weeks\' gestation performed 12-15 months before. By transvaginal ultrasound two regions of interest (ROI) were selected: uterine scar (Region 1) and surrounding myometrium (Region 2). Strain index (SI) for each ROI was calculated and the Strain Ratio (SR) was defined as Region 1 SI/Region 2 SI. The primary outcome was to compare SR among women who were grouped in accordance to presence of previous vaginal delivery, CS during labor, type of suture or pyrexia during post-partum. The secondary outcome of this study was to evaluate the correlation between SR and maternal, neonatal and labor characteristics.
RESULTS: 68 women were included. The mean SR was 1.8 ± 0.7 thus indicating an increased stiffness of the uterine scar compared to the surrounding myometrium. No significant differences were found in terms of SR according to presence of previous VD, CS during labor, type of suture or pyrexia during post-partum period. Strain Ratio was not correlated to maternal characteristics nor to labor and neonatal outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of uterine scar stiffness is feasible by using elastography. The stiffness of the uterine scar is higher than that of the surrounding myometrium and is not correlated to maternal and labor characteristics.