title: Can the final sonographic assessment of the cesarean section scar be predicted 6 weeks after the operation?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare the sonographic characteristics of the cesarean section (CS) scar 6 weeks and 6 months after operation. We tested the hypothesis that the dehiscence risk coefficient (DRC) measured 6 weeks and 6 month after CS does not change.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 43 primiparous women delivered by CS. The thickness of the myometrium proximal and distal to the CS scar, and the thickness of the CS scar were measured transvaginally. The severity of the CS scar defect was evaluated using the DRC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cut-off value (5thpercentile) for the CS scar thickness and for DRC was 3.0 mm and 0.25, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between DRC 6 weeks and 6 months after CS (correlation coefficient r = 0.97).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DRC can describe the defect of the CS scar adequately by the end of the puerperium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, P. J. Safarik University, 1st Private Hospital Košice-Šaca Incorporation, Košice-Šaca, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dosedla
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. Electronic address: pavel.calda@lf1.cuni.cz.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cesarean section; cesarean section scar; dehiscence risk coefficient; ultrasound; uterus