Clinical and Ultrasound Score for Evaluation of Previous Cesarean Section Scar

Overview

Cesarean delivery rates have increased dramatically worldwide. In the United States, cesarean section (CS) rates increased from 5% of all deliveries in 1970 to a high of 31.9% in 2016.Although efforts were made to reduce the number of CS, it failed to achieve the 15% rate recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).Repeat CS is the most significant factor contributing to overall increased CS rates. The primary indication of repeat CS is a prior CS. The trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) is an attempt to reduce CS rates. Several national medical associations have provided practice guidelines for vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC), but these differ across countries.VBAC is relatively safe when compared with repeat CS.However, TOLAC rates have dropped significantly worldwide in recent years.

Brief History taking include: age of patient, gravidity, parity, time interval between previous cesarean sections and current pregnancy, indication for the previous cesarean section, and fetal weight of previous delivery with special emphasis on menstrual history for proper dating and history of previous pregnancy to verify the inclusion or exclusion criteria.Physical examination include : General examination: for exclusion of presence of any medical disorders,Obstetric examination include: Fundal level to correlate with gestational age known by history, Umbilical grip to verify inclusion and exclusion criteria, Scar tenderness and shape in women who had undergone a previous cesarean section and investigations that will be performed including the following:basic routine antenatal investigations of pregnant women including blood group,Rhesus factor, complete blood count, blood sugar, and urine analysis. abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound will be performed for:a complete obstetric assessment at full term using TAS to confirm gestational age, fetal vitality, lie and presentation, amniotic fluid and placental position.Evaluation of the lower uterine segment using TVS, by measuring its thickness and identifying the echo structure for beinghomogenous or not . The LUS will be visualized in the sagittal section in the midline and lateral plane. The measurement will be obtained with the cursors at the urinary bladder wall- myometrium interface and the myometrium chorioamniotic membrane-amniotic fluid interface. Three layers can be identified by ultrasonography in a well-developed LUS in a midline section of sagittal view in a partially filled bladder. They are as follows from inside outwards:Chorioamniotic membrane with decidualized endometrium, a middle layer of myometrium and utero-vesical peritoneal reflection juxtaposed to muscularis and mucosa of the bladder.The lower uterine segment will be visualized in sagittal section in the midline.There after :150 patients will be evaluated using a measurement value of the clinical and ultrasound criteria and Follow up of all participants will be followed up till delivery, the mode of delivery either VBAC or elective repeated lower segment CS according to:History and clinical examination evaluation: Previous complicated CS or not, time interval between previous cesarean sections and current pregnancy(less than one year or more than one year),tender scar or not. US : TAS and TVS include: Lower uterine segment thickness , The echo structure of the lower uterine segment (Homogenous or nonHomogenous). For follow up of patient with previous CS include Initial evaluation: Each of the clinical and US parameters will be scored based on the sum of points is shown in table whatever to complete delivery by natural means or again by cesarean section.If the score is more than 7 out of 10 a vaginal birth will tried. On the other hand,Score 7 or less than 7 will be considered an indication to do repeated elective cesarean section.Careful follow up of patient during trial of labor after CS \[TOLAC\] for any possible symptoms and signs of uterine rupture that require immediate surgical intervention like : bleeding either intra abdominal or vaginal,cessation of uterine contraction,abnormal uterine contour,abdominal distention,shoulder tip pain,supraoubic pain,sudden severe abdominal pain may decrease after rupture,tender abdomen,rapid materinal pulse, low blood pressure,hypovolomic shock if rupture involve major blood vessels,no fetal presentation on vaginal examination,prolonged fetal bradycardia and absent fetal heart activity during continuous electronic heart rate monitoring.Careful examination of patient after vaginal delivery to detect any maternal complication by: local examination under anesthesia to ensure continuity of cesarean scar and ultrasound evaluation of scar.The parameters that are evaluated by clinical and ultrasound criteria Clinical and ultrasound criteria SCORE (2) SCORE (1)Tender scar Not tender (2) Tender (1)Previous complicated CS Not complicated (2) Complicated (1) ,Echo structure of the LUS Homogenous (2) Non homogenous (1)Lower uterine segment thickness More than or equal 3.65 mm(2) .more than 3mm to less than 3.65 mm(1)Pregnancy time interval after the CS More than 12 months(2) 12 months or less(1)Total Score (10) (5)