This prospective, clinical, observational study compares preoperative and intraoperative sonographic assessment of lower uterine segment of women who underwent ≥ second cesarean section. It is the purpose of the study to assess transabdominal (linear/convex ultrasound probe) and transvaginal approach versus intraoperative sonographic assessment of lower uterine segment.
In 1991, 126.297 (15.3%) women delivered by caesarean section in Germany. Since then, the rate of caesarean section increased steadily over the next 20 years, reaching up to 32.2% in 2011 \[https://www.destatis.de\]. The absolute risk of uterine rupture in vaginal birth after Caesarean section is 1 in 100 deliveries. The risk of perinatal death or the outcome of extremely neurological impairment is 1 in 1000 deliveries \[Cunningham et al., 2009\]. Statistically more than 300 pregnant women with a prior caesarean delivery visit daily ultrasound departments of german hospitals to investigate the C-section scar before delivery. They have one important question: Is it possible to predict successful trial of labor after cesarean delivery? \[AQUA-Institut\] The information for the risk of uterine rupture remains insufficient based only on ultrasonography assessment \[Varner et al., 2012\]. The measurement technique for lower uterine segment (myometrial) thicknesses in the third trimester have been described by several authors. Using a combination of preoperative transvaginal and transabdominal (linear/convex probe) ultrasound, we compare with intraoperative sonographic assessment of lower uterine segment of women who underwent ≥ second cesarean section. The aim of the present study is to assess transabdominal (linear/convex ultrasound probe) and transvaginal approach versus intraoperative sonographic assessment of lower uterine segment. This will allow the investigators to draw conclusions regarding the best method to assessment of lower uterine segment (myometrial) thickness in the third trimester to predict successful trial of labor after cesarean delivery.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
30
Maternity Clinic/Perinatal Treatment Center, Halle university hospital, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Difference between preoperative and intraoperative sonographic assessment of lower uterine segment I
Bland-Altman-Plot (mean versus difference) of Method A) Preoperative measurement of minimum myometrium-only thickness overlying the amniotic cavity at the level of the lower uterine segment scar - measured with transabdominal (linear ultrasound probe) and with transvaginal sonography (vaginal ultrasound probe) with the lowest value (thinnest area) being retained AND Method B) Intraoperative measurement of minimum myometrium-only thickness overlying the amniotic cavity at the level of the lower uterine segment scar - measured with intraoperative sonography after preparation of lower uterine segment (linear ultrasound probe)
Time frame: intraoperative - just bevore the uterotomy
Difference between preoperative and intraoperative sonographic assessment of lower uterine segment IIA
Bland-Altman-Plot (mean versus difference) of Method A) Preoperative measurement of minimum myometrium-only thickness overlying the amniotic cavity at the level of the lower uterine segment scar - measured with transabdominal (linear ultrasound probe) AND Method B) Intraoperative measurement of minimum myometrium-only thickness overlying the amniotic cavity at the level of the lower uterine segment scar - measured with intraoperative sonography after preparation of lower uterine segment (linear ultrasound probe)
Time frame: intraoperative - just bevore the uterotomy
Difference between preoperative and intraoperative sonographic assessment of lower uterine segment IIB
Bland-Altman-Plot (mean versus difference) of Method A) Preoperative measurement of minimum myometrium-only thickness overlying the amniotic cavity at the level of the lower uterine segment scar - measured with transabdominal (convex ultrasound probe) AND Method B) Intraoperative measurement of minimum myometrium-only thickness overlying the amniotic cavity at the level of the lower uterine segment scar - measured with intraoperative sonography after preparation of lower uterine segment (linear ultrasound probe)
Time frame: intraoperative - just bevore the uterotomy
Difference between preoperative and intraoperative sonographic assessment of lower uterine segment IIC
Bland-Altman-Plot (mean versus difference) of Method A) Preoperative measurement of minimum myometrium-only thickness overlying the amniotic cavity at the level of the lower uterine segment scar - measured with transvaginal sonography (vaginal ultrasound probe) AND Method B) Intraoperative measurement of minimum myometrium-only thickness overlying the amniotic cavity at the level of the lower uterine segment scar - measured with intraoperative sonography after preparation of lower uterine segment (linear ultrasound probe)
Time frame: intraoperative - just bevore the uterotomy
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