Tehnici de sutură în operaţia cezariană

Introduction

One of the most commonly performed surgeries is caesarean section, which can be performed both as elective or urgent procedure. However, once scarred, the uterus could carry long-term consequences, such as an increased risk of placenta accreta spectrum and uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies. This leads to an increased rate of repeat caesarean delivery to minimize those risks^(1,2). A key step in caesarean section is the closure of the uterine incision using an optimal surgical technique that allows the uterine scar created to withstand the stress of subsequent labor. There are two common techniques of suture of uterine closure: (a) single layer and (b) double layer. It is known that closing the transverse uterine incision using a single running locking suture penetrating the full thickness of the myometrium and endometrium is associated with an up to four-fold risk of uterine rupture compared to double-layer closure. Most randomized studies do not evaluate the impact on future pregnancies since, intraoperatively, the focus is on short-term operative complications^(2-4). Recently, in the CAESAR collaborative⁽⁵⁾ and the CORONIS collaborative⁽⁶⁾, more than 18,000 women were randomized to single- or double-layer uterine closure in order to answer the long-standing question whether the technique of double-layer closure of the uterus at the time of caesarean lowers the risk of subsequent uterine rupture⁽⁵⁾.

Other techniques of closing the uterine incisions have been proposed. One of the most interesting is the one performed by Babu and Magon on a patient who was a known case of fibroid uterus and had a post lower segment caesarean section pregnancy (LSCS)⁽¹⁾. The patient was unwilling to undergo vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), so a pre-labor caesarean was performed by the authors. Intraoperatively, they observed that the previous uterine scar was very thin. This led to excise the thinned out margins and sutured the uterine closure by a new technique, developed by them – shortly, their technique imply that the uterus is closed with delayed absorbable suture polyglactin 9/10 (0) or PGA (0), by continuous modified mattress suture technique in a single layer, excluding the decidual layer. Their aim was to ensure the correct anatomical approximation of the decidua-to-decidua, myometrium-to-myometrium and serosa-to-serosa layers. Subsequently, the patient underwent hysterectomy at a later stage because of the symptomatic fibroids. Once removed, the site of the uterine scar repaired by the new technique showed no thinning at the site of uterine repair. When com­pared with another post-caesarean uterus sutured with conventional double-layer technique, the authors observed thinning at the uterine rent repair site in the latter. However, the authors did not measure the thick­ness of scar site and did not use it as the final predictor of uterine scar strength.

In the present study, we try to identify the optimal way to close the uterus at the time of caesarean, and to evaluate the healing of the scar.

Results

Incision types

There are two common types of suprapubic abdominal wall transverse incisions, characterized postoperatively by reduced pain, increased tensile strength and superior cosmetic results: (a) the Pfannenstiel incision, introduced since 1900, which is slightly curved and practiced at 2-3 cm from the pubic symphysis extending to the caudal in the middle portion of the pubic hairline insertion; and (b) the Joel-Cohen incision, described in 1972, which is straight and performed 3 cm below the line which joins the anterosuperior iliac spines. The Pfannenstiel in­ci­sion is slightly taller and longer compared to the Joel-Cohen incision. Rarely used, the Bardenheuer-Bastien in­cision is made from one iliac spine to the other, while the Rapin-Kustner incision cuts the skin crosswise and takes off the plane upper skin as much as possible to the um­bilicus. The Maylard incision, introduced in 1907, is a cross section of the right abdominal muscles.

Median longitudinal incisions between the pubic and umbilical symphysis deal along the white line, with reduced bleeding and nerve damage, generally allow a faster penetration into the abdomen and an easy possibility of cranial extension left paraumbilical (to protect the round ligament of the liver)^(8,9), if the access space needs to be wider, to the detriment of the cosmetic appearance. The superior speed of the longitudinal incision approach is a controversial issue⁽¹⁰⁾. The caudal landmark of the incision is a point located 2-3 cm above the pubic symphysis; the size of the abdominal incision must be suitable for easy, atraumatic extraction of the fetus, 15 cm in the cranial direction being the minimum opening of the abdomen for a full-term fetus⁽¹¹⁾. The incision of the uterine wall in a caesarean section should consider the placental location, fetal size and position, and the level of progression of labor, which in the more advanced stages it relaxes the lower segment retracted above the presentation, in which case a lower incision may interest the cervix or even the vagina. The presence of leiomyomas is also a factor which customizes the decision of the operator. The hysterotomy, transverse or vertical, must allow the atraumatic extraction of the fetus. The uterine incision has traditionally been longitudinal; although in 1882 Kehrer introduced the transverse incision, demonstrating its advantages, it was not universally accepted until its reintroduction by Kerr in 1926⁽¹²⁾. The transverse segmental incision (Monro Kerr/Kerr) is commonly used due to reduced bleeding and the low risk of uterine rupture during subsequent pregnancy. The disadvantage of this type of incision is the increased risk of uterine artery damage and its emergencies near the intersection with the ureter when the incision is significantly extended laterally; the extension of the incision in “J” or inverted “T” when widening is necessary. This often leads to poor quality uterine scars⁽¹³⁾. Low vertical incisions (Kronig/De Lee/Cornell) performed at the non-contractile lower segment appear to be as resistant to scarring as those carried out at this level⁽¹⁴⁾, provided that it is not prolonged uncontrollable to the uterine fundus or to the bladder, cervix or vagina. The classical vertical incision affects the upper uterine segment, and for this reason it is associated with increased maternal morbidity and a risk of dehiscence or rupture of the uterus in subsequent pregnancies of about 4-9%, compared to the risk of 0.2-1.5% which carries the low cross-segment incision⁽¹⁵⁾. The generally accepted indications of vertical incision are the lack of development of the lower segment in terms of anticipating the need for maneuvers, low dorso-anterior transverse presentations or pelvic presentations with extreme prematurity, pathology of the lower uterine segment of the type voluminous leiomyomas, placenta praevia or anterior invasive or postmortem birth⁽¹³⁾.

When comparing the skin incision type in the con­text of general approaches to caesarean delivery (Pfan­nen­stiel, Joel-Cohen, Misgav-Ladach, modified Misgav-Ladach), four studies comparing Misgav-Ladache-based pro­ce­dures with Pfannenstiel techniques noted improved operating times and possible cost savings in the former, with minimal difference in maternal morbidity^(7,16-19). Studies using the Joel-Cohen surgical methods noted significantly improved short-term outcomes (less blood loss, less fever, lower duration of postoperative pain). Concerning the need to expand the uterine incision, blunt expansion remains preferred to sharp expansion of the uterine incision since it carries decreased maternal morbidity as measured by estimated blood loss and decrease in hemoglobin (with blunt cephalad-caudad expansion of the uterine incision)⁽²⁰⁾. When analyzing uterine exteriorization for hysterotomy repair, pro­vi­der preferences (surgeon’s capability) should be ac­coun­ted for, since febrile complications and surgical time were similar between uterine exteriorization and intra­abdominal repair^(7,21).

Sonography evaluated anatomical references

The optimal time for sonographic evaluation of the uterine scar in caesarean section is early follicular phase, in which the small size of endometrium facilitates the individualization of the myometrial scar. The trans­vaginal 2D approach is obviously superior to the transabdominal one, and gel instillation is more ac­curate than saline hysterography due to prolonged sub­stance content at cavity level; data from literature sup­port the twice as frequently detection of defects of the scar after caesarean section in case of examination with gel infusion compared to conventional transvaginal examination^(22-24).

The sonographic examination of the uterus begins with the longitudinal plane; the internal cervical orifice is identified as the junction point between the endometrial cavity and the canal cervical. Uterine flexion is determined by identifying the angle between the longitudinal axis of the uterus and the longitudinal axis of the cervix. Uterine anteflexion is diagnosed by anterior deviation of the long axis of the uterine body from the long axis of the cervix; retroflexion is defined by establishing the axis deviation to the rear. Ultrasound individualization of the endometrium, hypoechoic middle muscle layer of uterus and vesicouterine fold, composed of hyperechoic peritoneal reflection above the muscle and mucosa of the bladder, allows the location of the uterine incision at the lower segment, optimally located 2-3 cm below the upper edge of the peritoneum of the vesicouterine fold. The transvaginal ultrasound detection of uterine scarring is easy performed by following the main principles: (1) setting the patient on a gynecology or obstetrics mode in the first trimester; (2) identifying the depth of the cervical canal and the segment in a panoramic view, subsequently magnifying the identified scar up to 75% of the screen; (3) setting the sector to maximum amplitude, targeting the area of intersection of the cervical axis with the uterine body axis; (4) clear identification of the cervical canal and the thin, hyperechoic internal cervical orifice located at the level of the uterine arteries and defined by the “V” appearance of the cranial extremity of the endocervical canal⁽²⁵⁾. The low-segment transverse scar after caesarean section is described as a hypoechoic identification of the anterior wall of the segment, located between the vesicouterine fold and the internal cervical orifice, in the middle of the segment and lower, sometimes even at the level of the internal cervical orifice after cesarean section in emergency in labor.

The evaluation of the uterine scar concerns the following parameters: (a) the number of scars on the anterior uterine wall (single or multiple; if multiple scars, they are evaluated separately, numbered in relation to proximity to the uterine fundus or internal cervical orifice); (b) the location of each uterine scar, defined by the height ratio H = a/b, where “a” is the distance from the top of the endometrial cavity to the scar, and “b” is the distance from the top of the endometrial cavity to the internal cervical orifice, a measurement that covers virtually the entire length of the endometrial cavity. The unit value of the ratio means a location of the scar at the level of the internal cervical orifice, while a subunit value of the ratio indicates the location of the scar above the level of the internal cervical orifice; (c) the healing defect defined by the deficiency ratio D = c/d, where “c” is the myometrial thickness at the uterine scar and “d” is the normal adjacent thickness of the myometrium measured as longitudinal section (Figure 1). In 2012, Naji et al. standardized the imaging techniques and ultrasound measurements of the uterine scar after caesarean section and proposed a three-dimensional measurement of the defect in both sagittal and transverse planes⁽²⁵⁾. The loss of over 50% of the myometrial thickness at the level of the scar classifies the defect in the severe category. A Danish study looked at 324 women and 471 scars, and reported a 4.4% percentage of body locations and an incidence of defects scarring of 19.4%, half of which were severe; the risk of vicious scars doubles in the case of uterine retroversion and with each new caesarean section, confirming that repeated tissue trauma and mechanical traction are factors which causes the disruption of the normal healing process by the progressive deficiency of vascular perfusion⁽²⁶⁾.
 

Depending on the cut-off used in defining the tranche defect (visible versus ≤1 mm), the prevalence of the niche reported in literature is extremely variable, ranging from 6.9% to 96.6%⁽²⁷⁾. The magnitude of the defect is significantly influenced by the type of myorrhaphy, the continuous interlocking suture being associated with a residual myometrial thickness significantly lower compared to the simple double-layer suture, but the prevalence defects, the dehiscence rate and the uterine rupture rate in the next pregnancy are similar for both types of suture⁽²⁸⁾. In terms of anatomical landmarks, low transverse incision near or affecting the internal cervical orifice has an increased predisposition to niche formation compared to the high seedbed incision⁽²⁹⁾.

Sutures

The commonly used suturing techniques of the uterine closure include: (a) double layer, where continuous in­ter­locking is followed by an imbricating second layer; and (b) single layer, where both continuous interlocking and non-interlocking sutures are used. The differences between the two sutures have been compared in four studies^(5,7,30,31), where participants were randomized to two of three of the following techniques: single- versus double-layer uterine closure, peritoneal closure versus non-closure, and liberal versus restrictive subsheath drainage⁽³²⁾. No major differences were observed be­tween the groups when dealing with the short-term out­comes (morbidity from infection as primary outcome, sur­gery duration, pain, the need for blood, hospital re­admis­sion, breastfeeding and transfusion). Thus, the role of double-layer closure for reducing a subsequent ute­rine rupture, when compared with single-layer clo­sure, remains controversial. There is no evidence that double-layer closure reduces the risk of uterine rupture as derived from these studies, in which women were not randomly allocated to single- or double-layer closure, so the definitive recommendations regarding subsequent ute­rine rupture risk are not possible in women who desire future pregnancies⁽⁷⁾.

Other types of sutures that are used in caesarean section include interrupted sutures with simple thread, single or double layer, or “X”-thread (Figure 2). Some authors compared the continuous versus interrupted sutures⁽³³⁾. Their findings show that the advantages of continuous approach are the decreased blood loss and a shorter operating time. Using the swaged sutures they introduced less foreign material in the wound, which is an important advantage since the postpartum uterus involves quite rapidly. However, in term of sonographic-diagnosed hematomas and postoperative analgesic therapy, there were no differences between the two groups. The suitability of the suture for subsequent pregnancy was not discussed since previously uterine surgery was an exclusion criteria.
 

Discussion

Usually, single-layer closure is associated with high risks, although having its advantages, such as significant reductions in blood loss, operative time and postoperative pain, to name a few, but it carries more than twice the risk of uterine rupture compared with the double-layer closure. Several studies have produced higher rates of subsequent uterine rupture in women who had a single-layer uterine closure in previous caesarean^(1-3). Thus, it is strongly recommended that the single-layer closure be avoided in women who desire a subsequent vaginal birth. However, the same studies have reported equivalent scar thickness irrespective of the method of closure and those locked and unlocked single-layer closures were associated with a higher uterine rupture risk than the double-layer closure, in women attempting a trial of labor. Babu and Magon⁽¹⁾ proposed a mechanism that can explain the inferior performance of the single-layer suture: they consider that the locked suture, although a strong hemostatic procedure, can cause a strangulation of the scar tissue. In turn, it could lead to a weaker healing of the tissue by inclusion of the decidua (endometrium) in the scar tissue. This argument is sustained by Poidevin⁽³⁾ in several animal experiments, who demonstrated that suturing the complete thickness of the uterus allowed inclusions of endometrial tissue in the scar. Those inclusions produce scar defects in the subsequent weeks or months later. We can agree that a standardization of the suturing technique is imperative in order to ensure a correct approximation of all the layers and also restrict interoperator variability. This standardization will reduce all the risks associated with different suturing techniques and will minimize any thinning of lower segment caesarean section. Finally, in a quasirandomized study, Hayakawa et al.⁽⁴⁾ found that a double-layer closure (which is defined as the continuous suture of the endometrium followed by a second continuous suture of the myometrium) was as­so­ciated with fewer scar defects compared to the usual single-layer closure, a finding which cannot be ignored when we consider the woman’s reproductive desire. We also conclude that the correct uterine closure approach should be tailored to the patients’ needs^(1-4).  

Funding: Authors own resources.

Conflict of interests: The authors declare no con­flict of interests.