title: Uterine closure with unlocked suture in cesarean section: Safety and Quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Comparing locked and unlocked uterine closure techniques in terms of bleeding control and uterine incision healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients undergoing cesarean section in Sifa University Hospital between May - October 2012 were accepted to this prospective controlled study. Primarily, safety was evaluated. The hemoglobin count (HC) and serum creatine kinase (CK) levels of the patients in the locked (n = 47) and unlocked (n = 35) groups were measured just before and 24 hours after operation. Hemoglobin deficit, increase in CK and the additional hemostatic sutures were compared. Secondly, uterine scar healing was evaluated three months later. Scar thickness, niche and percentage of thinning of the scar region of the locked (n = 27) and unlocked (n = 32) groups were calculated and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hemoglobin deficit was similar in two groups. CK rise was less in the unlocked group but it was not significant (P = 0.082). Unlocked group needed more additional sutures (P = 0.016). The thickness of the niche and the percentage of thinning of the scar region were significantly less in the unlocked group (P= 0.002, P=0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unlocked uterine closure technique is safe and has less damage to the myometrium.
authors.affiliation: Guluzar Arzu Turan, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Guluzar Arzu
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Turan
authors.affiliation: Esra Bahar Gur, MD, Sifa University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra Bahar
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Gur
authors.affiliation: Sumeyra Tatar, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sumeyra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tatar
authors.affiliation: Ayse Gokduman, MD, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sifa University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gokduman
authors.affiliation: Serkan Guclu, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guclu
keywords: Cesarean section; Niche; Surgical Techniques; Suture Techniques; Ultrasonography