title: Continuous vs interrupted sutures for single-layer closure of uterine incision at cesarean section.
abstract: In a non-randomized cohort study, we compared continuous with interrupted sutures for the closure of the lower uterine segment at cesarean section. Eighty-two women, who underwent cesarean section at the Department of Obstetrics at the University Hospital of Vienna between January and May 2000, were included in the study. Thirty-eight patients had single-layer closure of the lower uterine segment and 43 patients had closure with interrupted sutures. There were significant differences in total operating-time (32 min vs 40 min, P=0.001) and in the pre- and postoperative maternal hemoglobin (DeltaHb 0.6 g/dl vs 1.1 g/dl, P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in sonographically diagnosed hematomas (32% vs 21%, P=0.27). No woman had fever, the median hospitalization time was 6 days, and there were no re-admissions. In both groups, the median need for analgesics was 150 mg diclofenac ( P=0.22). Continuous single-layer closure of the lower uterine segment at cesarean section saves operating time, reduces blood loss, and introduces less foreign material into the wound.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Vienna, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. Maria.Hohlagschwandtner@akh-wien.ac.at
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hohlagschwandtner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chalubinski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nather
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Husslein
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Joura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000601:surgery*