Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(9):387-392
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005053
To evaluate the cases of uterine rupture and dehiscence of the uterine scar at a low-risk maternity and to point out possibilities for an improved approach to these complications.
A descriptive study was conducted at a 30-bed low-risk maternity hospital that provides care to users of the public health system. The investigation was carried out by searching for cases in the delivery room registry book and later reading the medical records in order to obtain the data. The information was inserted on a form previously elaborated for this study. Cases of uterine rupure and dehiscence of the uterine scar diagnosed from 1998 to 2012 were included, with the determination of incidence, aspects related to risk factors and diagnosis, association with the use of misoprostol and oxytocin, and the outcomes observed.
A total of 39,206 deliveries were performed in this maternity during the study period, with 12 cases of uterine rupture and 16 cases of dehiscence of uterine scar being observed. The most relevant results were a high perinatal mortality associated with uterine rupture and the unsuccessful diagnosis of this complications. It was not possible to demonstrate an association with the use of misoprostol or oxytocin.
The adverse outcomes of uterine rupture could be minimized if efforts were directed at improving the diagnostic performance of the assisting teams.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2008;30(3):142-148
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032008005000004
PURPOSE: to compare the intra and interobserver reproducibility of the total thickness measurement of the inferior uterine segment (IUS), through the abdominal route, and of the muscle layer measurement, through the vaginal route, using bi and tridimensional ultrasonography. METHODS: the IUS thickness measurement of 30 women, between the 36th and 39th weeks of gestation with previous caesarean section, done by two observers, was studied. Abdominal ultrasonography with the patient in both supine and lithotomy position was performed. In the sagittal section, the IUS was identified and four bidimensional images and two tridimensional blocks of the total thickness were collected through the abdominal route, and the same for the muscle layer, through the vaginal route. Tridimensional acquisitions were manipulated in the multiplanar mode. The time was measured with a chronometer. Reproducibility was evaluated by the computation of the absolute difference between measurements, the ratio of differences smaller than 1 mm, the intraclass coefficient (ICC), and the Bland and Altman's concordance limits. RESULTS: the average bidimensional measurement of IUS thickness was 7.4 mm through the abdominal and 2.7 mm through the vaginal route, and the tridimensional measurement was 6.9 mm through the abdominal and 5.1 mm through the vaginal route. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility of vaginal versus abdominal route: smaller absolute difference (0.2-0.4 mm versus 0.8-1.5 mm), greater ratio of differences (85.8-97.8% versus 48.7-72,8%), with p<0,0001, higher ICC (0.8-0.9 versus 0.6-0.8) and lower concordance limits (-0.9 to 1.5 versus -3.8 to 4 mm) for the vaginal route. Tri versus bidimensional ultrasonography: lower absolute difference (0.2-1.4 versus 0.4-1.5 mm), higher ratio of differences (57.7-97.8% versus 48.7-91.7%) with p>0.05[A1] and similar lower concordance limits (-38 to 3.4 versus -3.6 to 4 mm) for tridimensional ultrasonography and ICC (0.6-0.9 versus 0.7-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: from the above, we came to the conclusion that the measurement of the IUS muscle layer, through the vaginal route using tridimensional ultrasonography is more reproducible. Nevertheless, our results do not indicate that this measurement shows any clinical evidence to predict uterine tear, as that was not the aim of this study. The only work that has correlated the UIS thickness with risk of uterine tear, without interfering in the obstetrician behavior or anticipating delivery, was done by bidimensional abdominal measurements of the total thickness.