Hydrosonographic Assessment of the Effect of Two Different Suture Materials on Healing of the Uterine Scar after Cesarean Delivery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of two different suture materials, monofilament synthetic absorbable sutures versus multifilament synthetic absorbable sutures, on healing the uterine scar after a cesarean delivery. METHODS: A total of 95 women between the ages of 18 and 40 who had undergone a primary cesarean section (CS) after the 38th week of gestation. In Group I (n=48), continuous double-layer unlocked closure of the low transverse uterine incision was performed using monofilament synthetic absorbable sutures. In Group II (n=47), continuous double-layer unlocked closure of the low transverse uterine incision was performed using multifilament synthetic absorbable sutures. Six months after the operation, the integrity of the cesarean scar at the uterine incision site was assessed using hydrosonography. The healing ratio and the thickness of the residual myometrium covering the defect were calculated as markers of uterine scar healing. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups with regard to the preoperative hemoglobin concentrations, the change in the hemoglobin concentrations, operating time, and the number of intraoperative additional hemostatic uterine sutures. Mean thickness of the residual myometrium covering the defect was thicker in the monofilament suture group in comparison to the multifilament suture group (7.76±2.11 vs. 5.96±1.69, respectively; p<0.01). The mean healing ratio was significantly higher in the monofilament suture group in comparison to the multifilament suture group (0.76±0.13 vs. 0.60±0.12, respectively; p<0.01) CONCLUSION: Continuous double-layer unlocked closure of the uterine incision at cesarean delivery using monofilament synthetic absorbable sutures decreases the risk of CS scar defect.

Less Blood Loss by Earlier Oxytocin Infusion in Cesarean Sections? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the positive effect of starting an IV oxytocin infusion early before uterine incision on intraoperative blood loss. METHODS: A total of 101 women between 18-40 years who underwent a primary elective cesarean section (CS) were included in this randomized controlled trial. The patients were divided into two groups. In Group I (n=51), oxytocin infusion was administered immediately after incision of the visceral peritoneum during CS. In Group II (n=50), infusion was administered immediately after clamping the umbilical cord. The primary outcome was the mean volume of blood loss during CS. The secondary outcomes included the mean reduction in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, need for additional uterotonics and hemostatic uterine sutures, blood transfusion, post-operative pain score, and additional surgical procedures. RESULTS: There were statistical significant differences either in the change of the hemoglobin concentration (1.27±0.75 vs.1.74±0.81; p<0.01) or in the change of hematocrit concentration (3.89±2.24 vs. 5.41±2.93; p<0.01). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in Group I when compared to Group II (475.86±150.11 vs. 605.1±203.2; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the starting IV oxytocin infusion early before uterine incision reduces intraoperative blood loss. This could be effective to replace starting IV oxytocin infusion late after umbilical cord clamping or delivery of the placenta. EINLEITUNG: Das Ziel unserer Studie war es. die positive Wirkung der beginnenden IV Oxytocin-Infusion früh vor der Uterusinzision auf den intraoperativen Blutverlust zu bewerten. MATERIAL UND METHODIK: In diese randomisierte kontrollierte Studie wurden insgesamt 101 Frauen zwischen 18 und 40 Jahren eingeschlossen, die sich einem primären elektiven Kaiserschnitt unterzogen hatten. Die Patienten wurden in 2 Gruppen eingeteilt. Gruppe I (n=51); Die Oxytocin-Infusion wurde unmittelbar nach der Inzision des viszeralen Peritoneums während der CS verabreicht. Gruppe II (n=50); Die Infusion wurde unmittelbar nach dem Klemmen der Nabelschnur verabreicht. Das primäre Ergebnis war das mittlere Blutverlustvolumen während der CS. Zu den sekundären Ergebnissen gehörte die mittlere Verringerung der Hämoglobin- und Hämatokritwerte, Bedarf an zusätzlichen Uterotonika und hämostatischen Uterusnähten, Bluttransfusion, postoperativer Schmerzscore und zusätzliche chirurgische Eingriffe. ERGEBNISSE: Es gab statistisch signifikante Unterschiede zwischen der Änderung der Hämoglobinkonzentration 1,27±0,75 vs.1,74±0,81; p<0,01) oder der Änderung der Hämatokritkonzentration(3,89±2,24 vs. 5,41±2,93; p<0,01). Der intraoperative Blutverlust war in Gruppe I im Vergleich zu Gruppe II signifikant geringer (475,86±150,11 vs. 605,1±203,2; p<0,01). DISKUSSION: Unsere Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass die beginnende intravenöse Oxytocin-Infusion früh vor der Uterusinzision den intraoperativen Blutverlust verringert. Dies könnte wirksam sein, um eine beginnende intravenöse Oxytocin-Infusion zu einem späten Zeitpunkt nach dem Klemmen der Nabelschnur oder der Abgabe der Plazenta zu ersetzen.