Sequelae of repeat cesarean sections.

OBJECTIVES

To study and analyze the factors related to repeat cesarean section and to highlight the problems that may be associated with it.

METHODS

The study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and involved 395 patients who had had two or more previous cesarean sections prior to the current pregnancy. Various factors which may be associated with repeat cesarean sections, as well as the outcome of the operations, were assessed and analyzed. The chi2-test and other analyses were used to examine the association between the number of cesarean sections and the various variables.

RESULTS

Four or more previous cesarean sections was significantly associated with dense adhesions. On the other hand, height, parity, antenatal clinic attendance, postoperative complications, fetal weight and fetal outcome had no significant effect on, nor influenced, the multiplicity of cesarean sections.

CONCLUSION

No specific risk is associated with repeat cesarean sections that is not normally associated with single cesarean sections.