Outcome of subsequent pregnancies in women with complete uterine rupture: A population-based case-control study

INTRODUCTION

In the attempt of a trial of labor after a cesarean section approximately one in 200 women experience a complete uterine rupture. As a complete uterine rupture is associated with an adverse perinatal outcome, data regarding subsequent pregnancies are needed to provide proper care and guidance to women with a complete uterine rupture when informing them of future possibilities. The objective of this study was to investigate the fetal and maternal outcomes in subsequent pregnancies after a complete uterine rupture.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective population-based case-control study. Denmark 1997-2017. A total of 175 women with complete uterine rupture during an attempted trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) at term (cases) and a corresponding group of 272 women with no uterine rupture during an attempted TOLAC at term (controls) were labeled as index deliveries. Index deliveries were included from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2008. From the date of the index delivery to December 31, 2017 the information on subsequent pregnancies and deliveries, and on referral to hospital with any obstetric or gynecological diagnosis were retrieved from the Danish Medical Birth Registry and National Patient Registry. Main outcome measures were miscarriage, perinatal death, neonatal morbidity, preterm birth, and recurrence of uterine rupture. Outcome measures were compared between cases and controls.

RESULTS

After the index deliveries; there were 109 pregnancies and 70 deliveries after gestational age 22⁺⁰  weeks in the population of cases. In the population of controls, there were 183 pregnancies and 126 deliveries after 22⁺⁰  weeks. Cases had a significantly higher risk of miscarriage (odds ratio [OR] 3.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-13.17). The incidence of uterine rupture was 8.6% among cases and 0.8% among controls (OR 11.7; 95% CI 1.36-543.1). Among cases, 98.6% had live-born infants, and none of these had severe neonatal morbidity. No significant association was found between previous complete uterine rupture and preterm delivery, placenta previa, hysterectomy in relation to subsequent births, diagnosis such as meno/metrorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, or procedures such as hysteroscopy or hysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

In pregnancies following complete uterine rupture continuing after 22⁺⁰  weeks, maternal and fetal outcomes are good when managed promptly with cesarean delivery.

Interobserver agreement in analysis of cardiotocograms recorded during trial of labor after cesarean

Introduction: To examine interobserver agreement in intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) classification in women undergoing trial of labor after a cesarean section (TOLAC) at term with or without complete uterine rupture. Materials and methods: Nineteen blinded and independent Danish obstetricians assessed CTG tracings from 47 women (174 individual pages) with a complete uterine rupture during TOLAC and 37 women (133 individual pages) with no uterine rupture during TOLAC. Individual pages with CTG tracings lasting at least 20 min were evaluated by three different assessors and counted as an individual case. The tracings were analyzed according to the modified version of the Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) guidelines elaborated for the use of STAN (ST-analysis). Occurrence of defined abnormalities was recorded and the tracings were classified as normal, suspicious, pathological, or preterminal. The interobserver agreement was evaluated using Fleiss' kappa. Results: Agreement on classification of a preterminal CTG was almost perfect. The interobserver agreement on normal, suspicious or pathological CTG was moderate to substantial. Regarding the presence of severe variable decelerations, the agreement was moderate. No statistical difference was found in the interobserver agreement between classification of tracings from women undergoing TOLAC with and without complete uterine rupture. Conclusions: The interobserver agreement on classification of CTG tracings from high-risk deliveries during TOLAC is best for assessment of a preterminal CTG and the poorest for the identification of severe variable decelerations.

Water immersion and changes in the foetoplacental and uteroplacental circulation: an observational study with the case as its own control

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of immersion into water on maternal blood pressure, amount of amniotic fluid and on the foetoplacental- and uteroplacental circulation in healthy women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy.

METHODS

Twenty-five healthy women were included. Recordings of blood pressure, deepest vertical pocket of amniotic fluid and pulsatility index (PI) measured by Doppler in the umbilical and uterine arteries were obtained. The participants were immersed into water and the measurements were repeated after 5 and 25 min in water and again 15 and 30 min post immersion.

RESULTS

The amount of amniotic fluid increased significantly (p < 0.001), and the maternal blood pressure decreased significantly during immersion (p < 0.001). There was no significant effect of immersion on either umbilical- or uterine artery PI. All changes returned toward baseline-level within 30 min after immersion.

CONCLUSIONS

Immersion into water increases the amount of amniotic fluid and decreases the maternal blood pressure. Immersion into water has no significant effect on either the foetoplacental or uteroplacental circulation. Further studies are needed in order to explore the effect of immersion in pregnancies complicated by a dysfunctional placenta.

[Conservative management of deformed twin pregnancy]

A twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence was diagnosed in a monochoriotic, diamniotic twin pregnancy at GA 12 weeks + 2 days. According to the parents' wish the pregnancy was managed conservatively with close monitoring, with ultrasound biometry and Doppler flow measurements in the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery and ductus venosus. At GA 34 weeks + 0 days the TRAP twin was growing rapidly and the amnion fluid index was increasing rapidly. An uncomplicated elective section was performed. The acardiac/pump twin weight ratio was 134%. The pump twin was without sequelae.