THE EFFECT OF BIRTH SPACING AND TIMING OF PREVIOUS CAESAREAN SECTION ON THE SCAR INTEGRITY IN CASES OF POST-CAESAREAN PREGNANCY – AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
Caesarean section, birth spacing and uterine scar dehiscence
Abstract
Background: This retrospective observational study investigates the effect of birth spacing and timing of previous caesarean sections, on uterine scar integrity in post-caesarean pregnancies. Scar dehiscence is asymptomatic in 48% of patients and thus is a serious complication because if not predicted, it can lead to uterine rupture.
Materials and Methods:
The study conducted at the Government General Hospital, Eluru, has analysed 135 women with repeat C-sections using inpatient records and statistical analysis in SPSS version 16.0.
Results:
Uterine scar dehiscence was identified in 47% of cases, with a significant association between short birth spacing (<2 years) and higher dehiscence rates (57.7%) compared to longer intervals (>2 years, 21.1%; p = 0.0001). No significant association was found with the number of prior C-sections or whether the prior delivery was elective or emergency. These findings highlight that inadequate birth spacing remains a critical risk factor for uterine scar dehiscence, underscoring the need for proper counselling on optimal birth spacing to reduce maternal morbidity in repeat caesarean sections.
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DR. AVULA LAKSHMI KIRAN
- AVULA LAKSHMI KIRAN, MS(OBG) DGO, Assistant Professor, Department of OBG,
Dr Yellapragada SubbaRao Government Medical College, Eluru
DR. P. LAVANYA
- P. LAVANYA, MS(OBG), Associate Professor, Department of OBG, Dr Yellapragada SubbaRao Government Medical College, Eluru
DR. L. BHANU SAILAJA KORLA
- L. BHANU SAILAJA KORLA , MS(OBG) Assistant Professor, Department of OBG, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam.