Multiple repeated cesarean deliveries: operative complications in the fourth and fifth surgeries in urgent and elective cases.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the maternal and neonatal risk related with multiple repeated cesarean sections.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A case control study was conducted in a single tertiary maternity and children's center. The outcome of a study group including 122 pregnant women undergoing cesarean section for the fourth or fifth time was compared with a control group comprising 146 women sectioned for the second and third time. All multiple repeated cesarean sections were divided into urgent and elective groups to compare the outcome measures of demographic, neonatal, intra- and post-operative data.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly lower birth weights (p=0.026), lower Apgar scores at 1 minute (p=0.0001) and 5 minutes (p=0.042), higher numbers of fetal death (p=0.03), higher rate of omentum adhesions (p =0.0001) and peritoneal adhesions (p=0.008), increased risk of cesarean hysterectomy (p = 0.014), increased need for transfusion (p = 0.018), and an increase in hospitalization days (p=0.005). Compared with the elective group, preterm birth incidence was higher (p = 0.01) and birth weight was lower (p=0.004) in the urgent group. The risk for myometrium herniation (p=0.018), need for drainage during operation (p=0.018), and post-operative fever (p =0.001) was also more common in the urgent group.

CONCLUSION

Multiple repeated cesarean sections increase the risks for operative complications and poor perinatal outcomes. Patients must be informed about the related risks of multiple repeated cesarean sections and tubal ligation needs to be encouraged.