Re-laparotomy after cesarean section: risk, indications and management options.

AIM: To identify risks, indications and outcomes for relaparotomy after cesarean delivery.

METHODS

A prospective case-controlled study conducted at Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt from 2009 to 2012. Each case was matched randomly to 2 cases that had delivered by cesarean section during the same period and did not undergo repeated surgical intervention. Information's on indications were obtained to gather information's on risks factors.

RESULTS

relaparotomy complicated 1.04% (n = 26) of the total number of the cesarean section (CS) (n = 2500). The principal indications for relaparotomy were internal bleeding (Intra-abdominal bleeding in 41.7% (n = 10); rectus sheath hematoma in 29.2% (n = 7) and uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in 29.2% (n = 7) of cases, followed by infections in 7.7% (n = 2) of cases. Resulting in 11.5% (n = 3) maternal death. Predictors for relaparotomy after cesarean delivery from univariate logistic model, placenta previa (OR = 6.898, 95% CI = 1.867- 25.4, P = .004), fetal weight greater than 4 kg (OR = 6.409, 95% CI = 1.444-28.44, .015). Previous cesarean section and parity were not a risk for re-laparotomy.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the incidence of relaparotomy after cesarean delivery was very high (1.04%). Associated with high maternal mortality (11.5%). The main predictors were placenta previa and fetal macrosomia.