Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the link between cervical dilatations before a caesarean section and the presence of a uterine incision defect. We conducted this study as a prospective cohort study. Patients undergoing caesarean section for various indications were included. Before the caesarean section, cervical dilatation in centimetres was measured and documented for each patient. Pfannenstiel and Kerr incisions to the skin and uterus were used, respectively. After six weeks postoperatively, all patients were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) for the presence of uterine incisional defect. The height of incisional defects was measured and recorded. A total of 172 patients were enrolled, but only 126 attended the six-week ultrasound follow-up. Group 1 (less than 4 cm), Group 2 (4–7 cm), and Group 3 (greater than 7 cm) were the three groups into which the study participants were assigned based on the degree of cervical dilatation. Uterine incision defects were detected in 31 patients (53.4%) in Group 1, 26 patients (57.8%) in Group 2, and 12 patients (52.2%) in Group 3. Statistical results showed that the likelihood of developing a uterine incision defect was comparable in all three groups (p= 0.66). While previous literature has suggested that multiple factors may influence uterine incision defect formation after caesarean section, the findings of this study demonstrate that cervical dilatation before caesarean section is not associated with the development of uterine incision defects.

Key words: Cesarean Section, Cervix Uteri, Uterine Scar, Transvaginal Ultrasonography, Prospective Studies