Ultrasonographic evaluation of lower uterine segment thickness in patients of previous cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate by ultrasonography, the lower uterine segment thickness of women with a previous cesarean delivery and determine a critical thickness above which safe vaginal delivery is predictable.

METHODS

A prospective observational study of 71 antenatal women with previous cesarean delivery and 50 controls was carried out. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasonography were used in both groups to evaluate lower uterine segment thickness. The obstetric outcome in patients with successful vaginal birth and intraoperative findings in women undergoing cesarean delivery were correlated with lower segment thickness.

RESULTS

The overall vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) was 46.5% and VBAC success rate was 63.5%, the incidence of dehiscence was 2.82%, and there were no uterine ruptures. There was a 96% correlation between transabdominal ultrasonography with magnification and transvaginal ultrasonography. The critical cutoff value for safe lower segment thickness, derived from the receiver operator characteristic curve, was 2.5 mm.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonographic evaluation permits better assessment of the risk of scar complication intrapartum, and could allow for safer management of delivery.