Higher order repeat caesarean sections: how safe are five or more?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the maternal morbidity and mortality associated with multiple repeat caesarean sections.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Security Forces Hospital serving Ministry of Interior and Security Forces personnel in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
Three hundred and eight case records undergoing between fifth and ninth caesarean section (mean 7) were studied and compared with a control group of 306 patients undergoing third or fourth caesarean section during the period January 1994-December 2002.


METHODS
Operative and post-operative complications and difficulties.


RESULTS
Five or more caesarean sections were associated with a longer operating time as well as an increased rate of severe adhesions. Blood transfusion rate was similar in the two groups but a drop of pre-operative to post-operative haemoglobin was significantly higher in the study group compared with the controls. There was no significant difference in the Apgar score of the baby, neonatal admission rate, incidence of caesarean hysterectomy, uterine scar rupture, placenta praevia, placenta accreta, bladder injury, incidence of postpartum pyrexia, wound infection and urinary tract infection between the two groups. There was no maternal death in the study group but one mother died in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher order (5-9) repeat caesarean sections carry no specific additional risk for the mother or the baby when compared with the lower order (3 or 4) repeat caesarean sections.
Rashid
Mumtaz
M
Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rashid
Rabia S
RS
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology