Clinical and Ultrasound Score for Evaluation of Previous Cesarean Section Scar
Clinical and Ultrasound Score for Evaluation of Previous Cesarean Section Scar
Cesarean delivery rates have increased dramatically worldwide. In the United States, cesarean
 section (CS) rates increased from 5% of all deliveries in 1970 to a high of 31.9% in
 2016.Although efforts were made to reduce the number of CS, it failed to achieve the 15% rate
 recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).Repeat CS is the most significant factor
 contributing to overall increased CS rates. The primary indication of repeat CS is a prior
 CS. The trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) is an attempt to reduce CS rates. Several
 national medical associations have provided practice guidelines for vaginal birth after
 cesarean section (VBAC), but these differ across countries.VBAC is relatively safe when
 compared with repeat CS.However, TOLAC rates have dropped significantly worldwide in recent
 years.
Brief History taking include: age of patient, gravidity, parity, time interval between
 previous cesarean sections and current pregnancy, indication for the previous cesarean
 section, and fetal weight of previous delivery with special emphasis on menstrual history for
 proper dating and history of previous pregnancy to verify the inclusion or exclusion
 criteria.Physical examination include : General examination: for exclusion of presence of any
 medical disorders,Obstetric examination include: Fundal level to correlate with gestational
 age known by history, Umbilical grip to verify inclusion and exclusion criteria, Scar
 tenderness and shape in women who had undergone a previous cesarean section and
 investigations that will be performed including the following:basic routine antenatal
 investigations of pregnant women including blood group,Rhesus factor, complete blood count,
 blood sugar, and urine analysis. abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound will be performed
 for:a complete obstetric assessment at full term using TAS to confirm gestational age, fetal
 vitality, lie and presentation, amniotic fluid and placental position.Evaluation of the lower
 uterine segment using TVS, by measuring its thickness and identifying the echo structure for
 beinghomogenous or not . The LUS will be visualized in the sagittal section in the midline
 and lateral plane. The measurement will be obtained with the cursors at the urinary bladder
 wall- myometrium interface and the myometrium chorioamniotic membrane-amniotic fluid
 interface. Three layers can be identified by ultrasonography in a well-developed LUS in a
 midline section of sagittal view in a partially filled bladder. They are as follows from
 inside outwards:Chorioamniotic membrane with decidualized endometrium, a middle layer of
 myometrium and utero-vesical peritoneal reflection juxtaposed to muscularis and mucosa of the
 bladder.The lower uterine segment will be visualized in sagittal section in the midline.There
 after :150 patients will be evaluated using a measurement value of the clinical and
 ultrasound criteria and Follow up of all participants will be followed up till delivery, the
 mode of delivery either VBAC or elective repeated lower segment CS according to:History and
 clinical examination evaluation: Previous complicated CS or not, time interval between
 previous cesarean sections and current pregnancy(less than one year or more than one
 year),tender scar or not. US : TAS and TVS include: Lower uterine segment thickness , The
 echo structure of the lower uterine segment (Homogenous or nonHomogenous). For follow up of
 patient with previous CS include Initial evaluation: Each of the clinical and US parameters
 will be scored based on the sum of points is shown in table whatever to complete delivery by
 natural means or again by cesarean section.If the score is more than 7 out of 10 a vaginal
 birth will tried. On the other hand,Score 7 or less than 7 will be considered an indication
 to do repeated elective cesarean section.Careful follow up of patient during trial of labor
 after CS [TOLAC] for any possible symptoms and signs of uterine rupture that require
 immediate surgical intervention like : bleeding either intra abdominal or vaginal,cessation
 of uterine contraction,abnormal uterine contour,abdominal distention,shoulder tip
 pain,supraoubic pain,sudden severe abdominal pain may decrease after rupture,tender
 abdomen,rapid materinal pulse, low blood pressure,hypovolomic shock if rupture involve major
 blood vessels,no fetal presentation on vaginal examination,prolonged fetal bradycardia and
 absent fetal heart activity during continuous electronic heart rate monitoring.Careful
 examination of patient after vaginal delivery to detect any maternal complication by: local
 examination under anesthesia to ensure continuity of cesarean scar and ultrasound evaluation
 of scar.The parameters that are evaluated by clinical and ultrasound criteria Clinical and
 ultrasound criteria SCORE (2) SCORE (1)Tender scar Not tender (2) Tender (1)Previous
 complicated CS Not complicated (2) Complicated (1) ,Echo structure of the LUS Homogenous (2)
 Non homogenous (1)Lower uterine segment thickness More than3.65 mm(2) Less than 3.65
 mm(1)Pregnancy time interval after the CS More than 12 months(2) 12 months or less(1)Total
 Score (10) (5)
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Pregnant women without any medical disorders.

 -  Gestational age: 36-40 weeks.

 -  Pregnant woman with singleton pregnancy.

 -  Clinically adequate pelvis.

 -  Normal ultrasonographic findings (gestational age, fetal structures and placental
 site).

 -  Cephalic vertex presentation.

 -  Patients not inlabour.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Previous repair of ruptured uterus.

 -  Women with history of long-term treatment for infertility.

 -  Multiple pregnancies.

 -  Previous operations in uterus rather than cesarean section.

 -  Polyhydramnios and Fetal macrosomia.

 -  Women with bad obstetric history (previous IUFD or difficult delivery).

 -  Disturbance of fetal heart rate (determined with the CTG).