Risk Factors for Urological Complications Associated with Caesarean Section—A Case-Control Study

Background and Objectives: Acute urologic complications, including bladder and/or ureteric injury, are rare but known events occurring at the time of caesarean section (CS). Delayed or inadequate management is associated with increased morbidity and poor long-term outcomes. We conducted this study to identify the risk factors for urologic injuries at CS in order to inform obstetricians and patients of the risks and allow management planning to mitigate these risks. Materials and Methods: We reviewed all cases of urological injuries that occurred at CS surgeries in a tertiary university centre over a period of four years, from January 2016 to December 2019. To assess the risk factors of urologic injuries, a case-control study of women undergoing caesarean delivery was designed, matched 1:3 to randomly selected women who had an uncomplicated CS. Electronic medical records and operative reports were reviewed for socio-demographic and clinical information. Descriptive and univariate analyses were used to characterize the study population and identify the risk factors for urologic complications. Results: There were 36 patients with urologic complications out of 14,340 CS patients, with an incidence of 0.25%. The patients in the case group were older, had a lower gestational age at time of delivery and their newborns had a lower birth weight. Prior CS was more prevalent among the study group (88.2 vs. 66.7%), as was the incidence of placenta accreta and central praevia. In comparison with the control group, the intraoperative blood loss was higher in the case group, although there was no difference among the two groups regarding the type of surgery (emergency vs. elective), uterine rupture, or other obstetrical indications for CS. Prior CS and caesarean hysterectomy were risk factors for urologic injuries at CS. Conclusions: The major risk factor for urological injuries at the time of CS surgery is prior CS. Among patients with previous CS, those who undergo caesarean hysterectomy for placenta previa central and placenta accreta are at higher risk of surgical haemostasis and complex urologic injuries involving the bladder and the ureters.

Placenta percreta presenting as uterine rupture following previous B-Lynch suture

Placenta accreta spectrum disorder varies from minimally adherent placenta to deeply invasive placenta. Placenta percreta is a rare cause for uterine rupture and the incidence of morbidly adherent placenta is on the rise due to increase in the rates of caesarean section. We report a case of a 32-year-old, G2P1L1 who presented to us at 27 weeks in a state of haemodynamic shock with intrauterine fetal death. She had a history of prior caesarean section complicated by postpartum haemorrhage requiring B-Lynch suturing. With an initial diagnosis of caesarean scar rupture, she underwent an emergency laparotomy. Intraoperatively, the caesarean scar was found to be intact and uterine fundal rupture with placental protrusion identified. She underwent caesarean hysterectomy and was discharged in a stable condition. The histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of placenta percreta.

Outcomes in emergency versus elective cases of placenta accreta spectrum disorder managed by caesarean-hysterectomy within a dedicated multidisciplinary care team: retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Compare maternal and perinatal outcomes between emergency and elective caesarean-hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders managed by a multidisciplinary team. Design and setting: Single-centre retrospective cohort study Population: 125 cases of antenatally suspected and pathologically confirmed PAS disorder. Methods: Maternal and perinatal outcomes were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test associations, adjusting for potential confounders. Survival curves exploring risk factors for emergency delivery were sought. Main Outcome Measures: Maternal outcomes including hemorrhagic morbidity, operative complications. Perinatal outcomes included gestational age at delivery, birthweight, Apgar scores and perinatal death. Results: 25 (20%) and 100 (80%) patients had emergency and elective delivery, respectively. Emergency delivery had a higher estimated blood loss (median IQR 2772 [2256.75] vs. 1561.19 [1152.95], p<0.001), with a higher rate of coagulopathy (40 vs. 6%; p<0.001) and bladder injury (44 vs. 13%; p<0.001). Emergency delivery was associated with increased rates of blood transfusion (aOR 4.9, CI95% 1.3-17.5, p=0.01), coagulopathy (aOR 16.4, CI95% 2.6-101.4, p=0.002) and urinary tract injury (aOR 6.96, CI95% 1.5-30.7, p=0.01). Gestational age at delivery was lower in the emergency group (mean SD 35.19 [2.77] vs. 31.55 [4.75], p=0.001), no difference in perinatal mortality was found (aOR 0.01, CI95% <0.001-17.5, p=0.53). A sonographically short cervix and/or history of APH had an increased cumulative risk of emergency delivery with advancing gestational age. Conclusions: Patients with PAS disorders managed in a tertiary centre by a multidisciplinary team requiring emergency delivery have increased maternal morbidity and poorer perinatal outcomes than those with elective delivery.

Evaluation of outcome of pregnancy in placenta accreta spectrum

Background: Aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of pregnancy in placenta accrete spectrum in third trimester pregnancy at tertiary care centreMethods: This hospital based retrospective study was carried out from 2017 to 2019. The case records of all women identified as placenta accrete spectrum from the hospital registers were retrieved. A total of 166 patients with the diagnosis of placenta accrete spectrum were included in the study.Results: The incidence of morbidly adherent placenta is 5 per 10,000 deliveries with mean age being 32.4±4.2 (23-39) years. and showed its relation with risk factors such as previous caesarean section (CS), placenta praevia and multiparity. The mean duration of MICU stay in placenta previa was 6.7±1.9 days (range 2-12 days). With complications in 18 cases of which urinary bladder injury (3%), infection (9%), PPH and coagulopathy (4.2%). The placenta was removed successfully in 141 while 25 cases had caesarean hysterectomy (2.4%). In total 166 cases 26 (16.8%) cases are intrauterine device (IUD) and still births. 5 (3%) cases are very low birth weight, 24 cases (14.5%) are low birth weight babies, 76 (45.8%) cases had neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions followed by 10 (6%) cases with <5 APGAR score.Conclusions: Placenta accreta spectrum can be identified antenatally with a high index of suspicion in the presence of known risk factors and proper radiological studies, allowing for planned attempts to avoid life-threatening haemorrhage and caesarean hysterectomy.

The Study of Intra-Operative Difficulties in One Repeat Caesarean Section Compared with Two or More Caesarean Sections

BACKGROUND Most commonly done obstetric procedure globally is caesarean section. The incidence of C-section is continuously increasing because risk associated with vaginal delivery after caesarean, previous caesarean section is an important indication for Csection. The purpose of this study was to assess the difficulties during intra-operative period in women who undergo caesarean section repeatedly and also to study the comparison between difficulties with women with previous one caesarean section and women with previous 2 or more C-sections. METHODS It is a prospective observational study conducted on 150 women in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar in women with history of previous caesarean sections (one or more). The women were divided into two groups - Group 1 - Those with previous one caesarean section and Group 2 - Those with previous two or more caesarean sections. RESULTS Out of 150 cases randomly selected and studied who had repeated caesarean section,90 had 1 previous lower segment caesarean section (LSCS), 60 had two or more caesarean sections, the highest number of caesarean sections were performed on women between the age group of 20 - 29 years. Out of these, some cases did not show intra-operative complications, some showed variety of intra-operative complications. Most common type of complications that they came across were adhesions (44 %) in 1 previous LSCS, 65 % in 2 or more LSCS. There were no cases of scar rupture, uterine rupture, bowel injury, caesarean hysterectomy in the study population, probable reason could be that cases were taken elective or taken with a short trial of labour with high level of intrapartum monitoring. CONCLUSIONS Higher incidence of intra-operative complication is seen in women with previous caesarean sections. KEY WORDS Repeat C - Section, Adhesions, Intra-operative Complications

The maternal and fetal outcome of repeat previous one caesarean section

Background: The rates of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes have increased significantly in the last decade. Patients with repeated caesarean deliveries also have a greater risk of placenta previa, placenta accrete, uterine rupture, bowel and bladder injury, and unplanned hysterectomy.Methods: This retrospective study was performed between 01 April 2017 to 31 March 2021, at a private hospital to know about the surgical difficulties and maternal and neonatal complications encountered in cases of repeated LSCS. The outcome of 1028 women admitted with a history of previous LSCS was studied.Results: The 613 patients were given a trial of labour. 40.07% of patients delivered normally. The most common indication for repeat LSCS was CPD in 20.94% and fetal distress 20.12%. The most common complication observed was adhesion in 37.65%. Scar dehiscence in 8.92 %, scar rupture in 0.64%, uterine atony in 4.8%, placenta previa in 3.57%, placenta accrete in 0.64%, injury to the bladder was seen in 0.97%, caesarean hysterectomy was done in only 2 cases and gaped wound was found in 1.13% of cases. 19.15% of neonates were admitted to NICU. Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes in 14.77%. premature neonates were 8.44% RDS was found in 7.62%, birth asphyxia was found in 2.92% cases and neonatal sepsis was found in 1.13%.Conclusions: The dramatic increase in caesarean section rates over the past three decades has been associated with a corresponding increase in maternal morbidity but there a continuous decrease in neonatal morbidity and mortality rates because of advances in neonatal medicine.

A case of placenta increta in placenta previa: a rare case report

Placenta increta, one type of morbidly adherent placenta, is characterized by entire or partial absence of the decidua basalis, and by the incomplete development of the fibrinoid or Nitabuch’s layer and villi actually invading the myometrium. When the internal os is covered partially or completely by placenta, it is described as a placenta previa. Simultaneously these two complications occurring in a post LSCS scarred uterus is a very rare scenario and anticipated frequently to cause catastrophic obstetric outcome. A 32-years-old woman of second gravida, para 1, with previous history of LSCS 7 years back, with living issue one, admitted in our hospital at 35 weeks 5 days gestation with asymptomatic placenta previa with placenta increta. The case was diagnosed effectively by ultrasonography. Intra-operatively, compression sutures and bilateral uterine artery ligature was tried to control hemorrhage which were failed and a quick decision of caesarean hysterectomy was done. Preserving both ovaries, total hysterectomy was the only option to save the mother in our case. Other options attempting to preserve uterus could have ended up with grave consequences in this case. This was a very rare case of asymptomatic placenta previa with placenta increta in a post LSCS scarred uterus and it was successfully managed by judicious caesarean hysterectomy.