Elective cesarean section without urethral catheterization

Self bladder emptying compared with Foley catheter placement for planned cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The global cesarean delivery rate is high and continues to increase. A bladder catheter is usually placed for the cesarean delivery because a distended bladder is assumed to be at higher risk of injury during surgery and to compromise surgical field exposure. Preliminary data suggest that self bladder emptying (no catheter) at cesarean delivery may have advantages and be safe.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the effects of self bladder emptying and indwelling Foley bladder catheterization for planned cesarean delivery on the rate of postpartum urinary retention and maternal satisfaction.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary university hospital from January 10, 2022 to March 22, 2023. A total of 400 participants scheduled for planned cesarean delivery were randomized: 200 each to self bladder emptying or indwelling Foley catheter. The primary outcomes were postpartum urinary retention (overt and covert) and maternal satisfaction with allocated bladder care. Analyses were performed using t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. Logistic regression was used to adjust for differences in characteristics.

RESULTS

Postpartum urinary retention rates were 1 per 200 (0.6%) and 0 per 200 (P>.99) (a solitary case of covert retention) and maternal satisfaction scores (0-10 visual numerical rating scale), expressed as median (interquartile range) were 9 (8-9.75) and 8 (8-9) (P=.003) in the self bladder emptying and indwelling Foley catheter arms, respectively. Regarding secondary outcomes, time to flatus passage, satisfactory ambulation, urination, satisfactory urination, satisfactory breastfeeding, and postcesarean hospital discharge was quickened in the self bladder emptying group. Pain scores at first urination were decreased and no lower urinary tract symptom was more likely to be reported with self bladder emptying. Surgical field view, operative blood loss, duration of surgery, culture-derived urinary tract infection, postvoid residual volume, and pain score at movement were not different. There was no bladder injury.

CONCLUSION

Self bladder emptying increased maternal satisfaction without adversely affecting postpartum urinary retention. Recovery was enhanced and urinary symptoms were improved. The surgeon was not impeded at operation. No safety concern was found.

[The cesarean procedure: Guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]

OBJECTIVE

To identify procedures to reduce maternal morbidity during cesarean.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The quality of evidence of the literature was assessed following the GRADE® method with questions formulated in the PICO format (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) and outcomes defined a priori and classified according to their importance. An extensive bibliographic search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE databases. The quality of the evidence was assessed (high, moderate, low, very low) and a (i) strong or (ii) weak recommendations or (iii) no recommendation were formulated. The recommendations were reviewed in two rounds with external reviewers (Delphi survey) to select the consensus recommendations.

RESULTS

Of the 27 questions, there was agreement between the working group and the external reviewers on 26. The level of evidence of the literature was insufficient to provide a recommendation on 15 questions. Preventing hypothermia is recommended to increase maternal satisfaction and comfort (weak recommendation) and to reduce neonatal hypothermia (strong recommendation). The quality of the evidence of the literature did not allow to recommend the skin disinfectant to be used nor the relevance of a preoperative vaginal disinfection nor the choice between the use or nonuse of an indwelling bladder catheterization (if micturition takes place 1 hour before the cesarean section). The Misgav-Ladach technique or its analogues should be considered rather than the Pfannenstiel technique to reduce maternal morbidity (weak recommendation) bladder flap before uterine incision should not be performed routinely (weak recommendation), but a blunt (weak recommendation) and cephalad-caudad extension of uterine incision (weak recommendation) should be considered to reduce maternal morbidity. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended to reduce maternal infectious morbidity (strong recommendation) without recommendation on its type or the timing of administration (before incision or after cord clamping). The administration of carbetocin after cord clamping does not significantly decrease the incidence of blood loss>1000 ml, anemia, or blood transfusion compared with the administration of oxytocin. Thus, it is not recommended to use carbetocin rather than oxytocin in cesarean. It is recommended that systematic manual removal of the placenta not to be performed (weak recommendation). An antiemetic should be administered after cord clamping in women having a planned cesarean under locoregional anaesthesia to reduce intraoperative and postoperative nausea and vomiting (strong recommendation) with no recommendation regarding choice of use one or two antiemetics. The level of evidence of the literature was insufficient to provide any recommendation concerning single or double-layer closure of the uterine incision, or the uterine exteriorization. Closing the peritoneum (visceral or parietal) should not be considered (weak recommendation). The quality of the evidence of the literature was not sufficient to provide recommendation on systematic subcutaneous closure, including in obese or overweight patients, or the use of subcuticular suture in obese or overweight patients. The use of subcuticular suture in comparison with skin closure by staples was not considered as a recommendation due to the absence of a consensus in the external review rounds.

CONCLUSION

In case of cesarean, preventing hypothermia, administering antiemetic and antibiotic prophylaxis after cord clamping are the only strong recommendations. The Misgav-Ladach technique, the way of performing uterine incision (no systematic bladder flap, blunt cephalad-caudad extension), not performing routine manual removal of the placenta nor closure of the peritoneum are weak recommendations and may reduce maternal morbidity.

Effect of urinary catheter removal at different times after caesarean section: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the optimal time for removal of a urinary catheter (UC) following caesarean section (CS).

METHODS

Several electronic databases were searched from inception to 31 December 2021 regarding the timing of UC removal following CS. The effect of UC removal at different times following CS was calculated using odds ratio (OR) or standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to determine the best time for UC removal. All analyses were performed using Stata Version 14.0.

RESULTS

In total, 19 studies including 3086 women were included in this review. Compared with UC removal 0-6 h after CS, UC removal 6.1-12 h, 12.1-24 h and > 24 h after CS were more likely to result in urinary tract infection (UTI), with pooled OR of 5.95 (95 % CI 1.58-22.38), 11.26 (95 % CI 2.99-42.44) and 27.25 (95 % CI 6.82-108.90), respectively. UC removal > 24 h after CS was more favourable to prevent urinary retention than immediate UC removal (OR 0.05, 95 % CI 0.00-0.64). UC removal 0-6 h after CS was the optimal timing to prevent UTI and frequent urination, and reduce length of hospital stay as well as time to first ambulation, with maximum SUCRA values of 92.30 %, 85.00 %, 80.60 % and 72.60 %, respectively.

CONCLUSION

UC removal 0-6 h after CS may be the optimal timing to prevent several complications in the absence of a clear indication for UC removal after CS. This study may provide a scientific basis for the timing of UC removal after CS.

The risk of urine bacterial colonisation in patients with a permanent catheter after caesarean section

We present an observational study, conducted in Slovakia, concerning the occurrence of newly acquired urine colonisations in women with Foley catheters after a Caesarean section. A sample of urine was taken from each patient when the Foley catheter was first inserted, before the operation and was sent to the lab for culture. Later, a sample of urine was taken during the removal of the Foley catheter. Out of 176 women, the second urine sample culture result was positive in 13 women. Of those nine women had a positive pathogenic strain (5.1%). The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in our cohort was 7.7%. De novo acquired colonisation of urine was confirmed in 5.1% of cases. The only confirmed risk factor was delivery by an acute Caesarean section.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject?: It is well known that catheterisation increases risk of colonisation of lower urinary tract by pathogens. However, the extent of this risk is not determined because there are no studies of de novo colonisation in women with sterile urine before catheterisation. According to literature approximately 8% of women have asymptomatic bacteriuria, which could be confounding factor in previous studies.What do the results of this study add?: Our study excluded women with positive bacteriuria before insertion of Foley catheter. Therefore, the study only assesses de novo colonisation, dependent on insertion of Foley catheter during caesarean section.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?: De novo colonisation was observed in 5.1% of women in our cohort, with emergency caesarean section as a confirmed risk factor. Therefore, practitioners should consider avoiding catheterisation during caesarean section.

Guidelines for postoperative care in cesarean delivery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations (part 3)

BACKGROUND

This Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guideline for postoperative care in cesarean delivery will provide best practice, evidenced-based recommendations for postoperative care with primarily a maternal focus.

OBJECTIVE

The pathway process for scheduled and unscheduled cesarean delivery for this Enhanced Recovery After Surgery cesarean delivery guideline will consider time from completion of cesarean delivery until maternal hospital discharge.

STUDY DESIGN

The literature search (1966-2017) used Embase and PubMed to search medical subject headings that included "Cesarean Section," "Cesarean Delivery," "Cesarean Section Delivery," and all postoperative Enhanced Recovery After Surgery items. Study selection allowed titles and abstracts to be screened by individual reviewers to identify potentially relevant articles. Metaanalyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled studies, nonrandomized controlled studies, reviews, and case series were considered for each individual topic. Quality assessment and data analyses evaluated the quality of evidence, and recommendations were evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system as used and described in previous Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guidelines.

RESULTS

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery cesarean delivery guideline/pathway has created a pathway for postoperative care. Specifics include sham feeding, nausea and vomiting prevention, postoperative analgesia, nutritional care, glucose control, thromboembolism prophylaxis, early mobilization, urinary drainage, and discharge counseling. A number of elements of postoperative care of women who undergo cesarean delivery are recommended, based on the evidence.

CONCLUSION

As the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery cesarean delivery pathway (elements/processes) are studied, implemented, audited, evaluated, and optimized by the maternity care teams, there will be an opportunity for focused and optimized areas of care and recommendations to be further enhanced.

Early versus delayed removal of indwelling urinary catheter after elective cesarean delivery: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Timing of removal of the indwelling urinary catheter after elective cesarean delivery (CD) is controversial. Early removal could be associated with fewer urinary symptoms.Objective: This review aims to evaluate the evidence from published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) about the outcomes of early versus delayed removal of indwelling urinary catheter after elective cesarean delivery (CD).Data sources: Electronic databases were searched using the following MeSH terms (early Or Late Or immediate OR delayed removal) AND (Urinary catheter) AND (cesarean section OR cesarean delivery OR CS)Methods of study selection: All RCTs assessing the timing of removal of urinary catheter were considered for this meta-analysis. One hundred seventy-two studies were identified of which three studies deemed eligible for this review. Quality and risk of bias assessment were performed for all studies.Data extraction: Two researchers independently extracted the data from the individual articles and entered into RevMan software. The relative risk (RR), the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. The extracted outcomes were significant bacteriuria, urinary symptoms (urinary retention necessitating re-catheterization, dysuria, urinary frequency, urgency) postoperative oral rehydration and length of hospital stay.Results: Three RCTs (early removal: n = 298 and delayed removal: n = 311) were included. The pooled estimate showed that early removal significantly reduced dysuria (RR = 0.60, 95% CI [0.38, 0.95], p=.03), urinary frequency (RR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.16, 0.66], p=.002) and significant bacteriuria (RR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.30, 0.83], p=.007) than delayed removal.Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that early removal of the indwelling urinary catheter in patients who underwent elective CD showed significant less dysuria, less urinary frequency and a decrease in the incidence of significant bacteriuria.

Early versus delayed removal of indwelling catheters in patients after elective cesarean section: a prospective randomized trial

Purpose: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial to compare postoperative urinary catheter removal 2 versus 12 h after elective cesarean section in terms of irritative symptoms, first void time, incidence of urinary tract infection, postoperative mobilization time, and hospitalization time.Methods: A total of 134 women admitted to Duzce University Hospital for primary or recurrent elective cesarean section were randomized into two groups. A total of 62 women were enrolled in the early group, with indwelling catheter removal 2 h after cesarean section; 74 women were enrolled in the delayed group, with catheter removal 12 h after the cesarean section. The groups were prospectively compared in terms of irritative urinary symptoms, bacteriuria, hematuria, length of hospital stay, and mobilization time.Results: Urinary frequency (p = .04), microscopic hematuria incidence (p = .04), postoperative mobilization time (p = .01), and length of hospital stay (p = .009) were significantly lower in the early group than in the delayed group. There were no significant differences in terms of bacteruria, urinary retention, dysuria, and first postoperative voiding time.Conclusions: Early removal of urinary catheters after elective cesarean section is associated with reduced mobilization time and hospital stay.

The Maternal Infant Microbiome: Considerations for Labor and Birth

The human microbiome plays a role in maintaining health, but is also thought to attenuate and exacerbate risk factors for adverse maternal-child health outcomes. The development of the microbiome begins in utero; however, factors related to the labor and birth environment have been shown to influence the initial colonization process of the newborn microbiome. This "seeding" or transfer of microbes from the mother to newborn may serve as an early inoculation process with implications for the long-term health outcomes of newborns. Studies have shown that there are distinct differences in the microbiome profiles of newborns born vaginally compared with those born by cesarean. Antibiotic exposure has been shown to alter the microbial profiles of women and may influence the gut microbial profiles of their newborns. Considering that the first major microbial colonization occurs at birth, it is essential that labor and birth nurses be aware of factors that may alter the composition of the microbiome during the labor and birth process. The implications of various activities and factors unique to the labor and birth environment that may influence the microbiome of women and newborns during the labor and birth process (e.g., route of birth, antibiotic use, nursing procedures) are presented with a focus on the role of labor nurses and the potential influence of nursing activities on this process.

Indwelling Catheterization in Caesarean Section: Time To Retire It!

BACKGROUND

Routine placement of indwelling catheter preoperatively in Caesarean Section is being practiced without justified scientific evidence.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of routine indwelling catheterization on the postoperative ambulation, morbidity and hospital stay in women undergoing Caesarean section.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Case-Control study carried in a tertiary teaching hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was carried over 150 women undergoing primary Caesarean section without any medical complication or pre-existing Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). The subjects were randomly allocated to 2 groups i.e. Group 1(Non-Catheterized; NC) and Group 2 (Catheterized for 24 hours postoperatively; C). Parameters noted were; duration of surgery, time of ambulation, postoperative voiding discomfort {graded as - no, mild, moderate-severe, by Visual Analog Scoring (VAS)}, incidence of UTI, postoperative urinary retention, need of postoperative antibiotics and duration of hospital stay.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Results were analysed using unpaired t-test.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in duration of surgery and postoperative urinary retention in both groups. However, it was seen that non-catheterized patients had significantly earlier ambulation, shorter hospital stay, took less time for first voiding, lesser voiding discomfort, less incidence of UTI and lesser use of postoperative antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

The routine use of indwelling catheter in Caesarean section is unscientific and unnecessary. There should be selective rather than routine catheterization.

Downward Trends in Surgical Site and Urinary Tract Infections After Cesarean Delivery in a French Surveillance Network, 1997–2003

Objective.

To evaluate whether the adjusted rates of surgical site infection (SSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) after cesarean delivery decrease in maternity units that perform active healthcare-associated infection surveillance.

Design.

Trend analysis by means of multiple logistic regression.

Setting.

A total of 80 maternity units participating in the Mater Sud-Est surveillance network.

Patients.

A total of 37,074 cesarean deliveries were included in the surveillance from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2003.

Methods.

We used a logistic regression model to estimate risk-adjusted post–cesarean delivery infection odds ratios. The variables included were the maternity units' annual rate of operative procedures, the level of dispensed neonatal care, the year of delivery, maternal risk factors, and the characteristics of cesarean delivery. The trend of risk-adjusted odds ratios for SSI and UTI during the study period was studied by linear regression.

Results.

The crude rates of SSI and UTI after cesarean delivery were 1.5% (571 of 37,074 patients) and 1.8% (685 of 37,074 patients), respectively. During the study period, the decrease in SSI and UTI adjusted odds ratios was statistically significant (R = −0.823 [P = .023] and R = −0.906 [P = .005], respectively).

Conclusion.

Reductions of 48% in the SSI rate and 52% in the UTI rate were observed in the maternity units. These unbiased trends could be related to progress in preventive practices as a result of the increased dissemination of national standards and a collaborative surveillance with benchmarking of rates.

A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing immediate versus delayed removal of urinary catheter following elective cesarean section

OBJECTIVE

To compare immediate and 12h postoperative removal of urinary catheter after elective cesarean section.

STUDY DESIGN

In a prospective clinical trial at a university teaching hospital, 300 eligible women admitted for primary or repeat elective cesarean section were randomized into two equal groups. In group A, the catheter was removed immediately after the procedure; whereas in group B, the catheter was removed 12h postoperatively.

RESULTS

The incidence of postoperative significant bacteruria (p=0.020), dysuria (p=0.030), burning on micturition (p=0.016), urinary frequency (p=0.031), and urgency (p=0.011) were significantly lower in group A compared with group B. The mean postoperative ambulation time (p<0.001), time till the first voiding (p<0.001), and length of hospital stay (p<0.001) were also significantly shorter in group A. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of urinary retention necessitating recatheterization (p=0.371).

CONCLUSION

Immediate removal of urinary catheter after elective cesarean section is associated with lower risk of urinary infection and earlier postoperative ambulation.

A prospective randomized controlled comparison of immediate versus late removal of urinary catheter after abdominal hysterectomy

Objective:

Indwelling transurethral catheter is frequently used after gynecological surgeries in order to prevent urinary retention. There is controversy about the ideal time to remove the catheter after surgery. This randomized controlled study was undertaken to determine whether the immediate removal of urinary catheter after abdominal hysterectomy affects the rate of symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI), recatheterization, subjective pain perception and febrile morbidity.

Study Design:

This prospective randomized controlled trial included 70 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy with or without salpingoophrectomy for benign diseases. Patients were divided into two equal groups on the basis of timing of removal of urinary catheter (Group I — Immediate removal after surgery, Group II — Removal after 24 h and evaluated for benefits versus risks of immediate catheter removal. The results were compared by the Chi-square test.

Results:

Recatheterization was required in three patients of immediate removal group and none in late removal group (P = 0.07). Higher incidence of positive urine cultures (25.9%) and febrile morbidity (10%) was found in Group II when compared to immediate removal group (8%). Pain perception was not statistically different in both groups (P = 0.567).

Conclusions:

The early removal of an indwelling catheter after surgery was not associated with an increased rate of febrile events, UTI. Pain perception was also lower in early removal group. Although need of recatheterization was higher in early removal group, but not statistically significant.

Indwelling bladder catheterisation as part of intraoperative and postoperative care for caesarean section

BACKGROUND

Caesarean section (CS) is the most common obstetric surgical procedure, with more than one-third of pregnant women having lower-segment CS. Bladder evacuation is carried out as a preoperative procedure prior to CS. Emerging evidence suggests that omitting the use of urinary catheters during and after CS could reduce the associated increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), catheter-associated pain/discomfort to the woman, and could lead to earlier ambulation and a shorter stay in hospital.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of indwelling bladder catheterisation for intraoperative and postoperative care in women undergoing CS.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 December 2013) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing indwelling bladder catheter versus no catheter or bladder drainage in women undergoing CS (planned or emergency), regardless of the type of anaesthesia used. Quasi-randomised trials, cluster-randomised trials were not eligible for inclusion. Studies presented as abstracts were eligible for inclusion providing there was sufficient information to assess the study design and outcomes.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed studies for eligibility and trial quality, and extracted data. Data were checked for accuracy.

MAIN RESULTS

The search retrieved 16 studies (from 17 reports). Ten studies were excluded and one study is awaiting assessment. We included five studies involving 1065 women (1090 recruited). The five included studies were at moderate risk of bias.Data relating to one of our primary outcomes (UTI) was reported in four studies but did not meet our definition of UTI (as prespecified in our protocol). The included studies did not report on our other primary outcome - intraoperative bladder injury (this outcome was not prespecified in our protocol). Two secondary outcomes were not reported in the included studies: need for postoperative analgesia and women's satisfaction. The included studies did provide limited data relating to this review's secondary outcomes. Indwelling bladder catheter versus no catheter - three studies (840 women) Indwelling bladder catheterisation was associated with a reduced incidence of bladder distension (non-prespecified outcome) at the end of the operation (risk ratio (RR) 0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00 to 0.35; one study, 420 women) and fewer cases of retention of urine (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.47; two studies, 420 women) or need for catheterisation (RR 0.03, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.16; three studies 840 participants). In contrast, indwelling bladder catheterisation was associated with a longer time to first voiding (mean difference (MD) 16.81 hours, 95% CI 16.32 to 17.30; one study, 420 women) and more pain or discomfort due to catheterisation (and/or at first voiding) (average RR 10.47, 95% CI 4.71 to 23.25, two studies, 420 women) although high levels of heterogeneity were observed. Similarly, compared to women in the 'no catheter' group, indwelling bladder catheterisation was associated with a longer time to ambulation (MD 4.34 hours, 95% CI 1.37 to 7.31, three studies, 840 women) and a longer stay in hospital (MD 0.62 days, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.10, three studies, 840 women). However, high levels of heterogeneity were observed for these two outcomes and the results should be interpreted with caution.There was no difference in postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) due to uterine atony. There was also no difference in the incidence of UTI (as defined by trialists) between the indwelling bladder catheterisation and no catheterisation groups (two studies, 570 women). However, high levels of heterogeneity were observed for this non-prespecified outcome and results should be considered in this context. Indwelling bladder catheter versus bladder drainage - two studies (225 women)Two studies (225 women) compared the use of an indwelling bladder catheter versus bladder drainage. There was no difference between groups in terms of retention of urine following CS, length of hospital stay or the non-prespecified outcome of UTI (as defined by the trialist).There is some evidence (from one small study involving 50 women), that the need for catheterisation was reduced in the group of women with an indwelling bladder catheter (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.70) compared to women in the bladder drainage group. Evidence from another small study (involving 175 women) suggests that women who had an indwelling bladder catheter had a longer time to ambulation (MD 0.90, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.55) compared to women who received bladder drainage.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review includes limited evidence from five RCTs of moderate quality. The review's primary outcomes (bladder injury during operation and UTI), were either not reported or reported in a way not suitable for our analysis. The evidence in this review is based on some secondary outcomes, with heterogeneity present in some of the analyses. There is insufficient evidence to assess the routine use of indwelling bladder catheters in women undergoing CS. There is a need for more rigorous RCTs, with adequate sample sizes, standardised criteria for the diagnosis of UTI and other common outcomes.

Evidence-based surgery for cesarean delivery: an updated systematic review

The objective of our systematic review was to provide updated evidence-based guidance for surgical decisions during cesarean delivery (CD). We performed an English-language MEDLINE, PubMed, and COCHRANE search with the terms, cesarean section, cesarean delivery, cesarean, pregnancy, and randomized trials, plus each technical aspect of CD. Randomized control trials (RCTs) involving any aspect of CD technique from Jan. 1, 2005, to Sept. 1, 2012, were evaluated to update a previous systematic review. We also summarized Cochrane reviews, systematic reviews, and metaanalyses if they included additional RCTs since this review. We identified 73 RCTs, 10 metaanalyses and/or systematic reviews, and 12 Cochrane reviews during this time frame. Recommendations with high levels of certainty as defined by the US Preventive Services Task Force favor pre-skin incision prophylactic antibiotics, cephalad-caudad blunt uterine extension, spontaneous placental removal, surgeon preference on uterine exteriorization, single-layer uterine closure when future fertility is undesired, and suture closure of the subcutaneous tissue when thickness is 2 cm or greater and do not favor manual cervical dilation, subcutaneous drains, or supplemental oxygen for the reduction of morbidity from infection. The technical aspect of CD with high-quality, evidence-based recommendations should be adopted. Although 73 RCTs over the past 8 years is encouraging, additional well-designed, adequately powered trials on the specific technical aspects of CD are warranted.

Emergency cesarean delivery: special precautions

An emergent cesarean delivery is performed to immediately intervene to improve maternal or fetal outcome for such indications as fetal distress, prolapsed cord, maternal hemorrhage from previa or trauma, uterine rupture, and complete placental abruption. It is paramount to reduce morbidity and mortality by preparing health care providers for special precautions.

Evaluation of the use vs nonuse of urinary catheterization during cesarean delivery: a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively investigate the effects on urinary tract infection (UTI) of indwelling urinary catheter placement during cesarean delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

RESULT

There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding patient demographics. There was, however, a statistically significant increase in women using general anesthesia in the catheterized group (CG). Even so, the incidence of UTI was significantly greater in the CG (P<0.001). In addition, mean time to patient ambulation, first postoperative voiding, oral rehydration, intestinal movement and duration of hospital stay were significantly less in the uncatheterized group (UG; P<0.001), with most patients (95.3%) self-voiding without any intervention. Moreover, no intraoperative complications were recorded in the UG.

CONCLUSION

Non-placement of indwelling urinary catheter during cesarean was more convenient to women with no increase in intraoperative complications, or urinary retention. Indwelling catheter placement in hemodynamically stable patients proved not to be beneficial in this study.

Emergent (crash) cesarean delivery: indications and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to define the indications and outcomes of emergent cesarean deliveries.

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed prospectively collected singleton maternal and neonatal data from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2004 of all such cesarean deliveries that were performed. A case-control analysis was performed by matching emergent cesarean deliveries with the next 2 acute cesarean deliveries.

RESULTS

There were 126 emergent cesarean deliveries (1:159 deliveries). There were no significant differences in identifiable obstetric or chronic medical risk factors between the 2 groups. Compared with the control subjects, the subjects with emergent cesarean deliveries had an increased risks of cesarean delivery for non-reassuring fetal heart rate (P < .0001; odds ratio, 12.0), cord prolapse (P < .0001), and suspected uterine rupture (P < .0001); in addition, greater risk of a low 1-minute Apgar score (P < .001; odds ratio, 19.5) and low 5-minute Apgar score (P < .001; odds ratio, 10.4), acute respiratory distress of infant (P < .001; odds ratio, 4.21), and infant intubations (P < .0001; odds ratio, 8.1).

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate that most emergent cesarean deliveries develop during labor in low-risk women and cannot be anticipated by prelabor factors. The outcomes demonstrate that infants are at risk in these clinical situations and suggest that strategies to improve performance in these clinical situations are important.