Outcome after a high number (4-10) of repeated caesarean sections.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate outcomes in caesarean sections repeated several times.


METHODS
Sixty-four women had had four or more (up to 10) caesarean sections.


METHODS
The outcomes of these operations N= 149, study group) were compared with other caesarean sections.


RESULTS
A quarter of the women in the study group complained of low abdominal pains during the late pregnancy. A thin or fenestrated isthmic myometrial layer was observed in 55% of their operations. Abnormal placentation with an increased risk of major operative complications occurred more often in the study group. No differences in post-operative complications or perinatal outcome emerged between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, no definitive upper limit for the number of caesarean sections per individual woman can be given.
Juntunen
Kaisa
K
Family Federation of Finland, Oulu Clinic, Finland.
Mäkäräinen
Leo
L
Kirkinen
Pertti
P
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012086:Reoperation