Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Caesarean Sections Repeated Fourth and Fifth Times

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes associated with caesarean sections (CS) repeated fourth and fifth times. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 110 patients undergoing CS repeated fourth and fifth times between May 2014 and May 2015. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 had CS repeated four times (n = 90) and group 2 had CS repeated five times (n = 20), and the maternal and fetal outcomes of the groups were retrospectively evaluated. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between fourth and fifth CS groups with regard to the maternal age, gravida, body mass index, gestational age at birth, birth-weight, and Apgar scores at 5 minutes (p > 0.05). We found no significant differences between the fourth and fifth CS groups in terms of injury to peripheral organs, intra-abdominal adhesions, caesarean hysterectomy, uterine dehiscence or rupture, time during operation, length of hospital stay, and need for blood transfusions (p > 0.05). Compared with the elective cases, perioperative complications and length of hospital stay were significantly higher in the urgent group (p = 0.034 and p = 0.005). Conclusion: Women with CS repeated four or five times have increased risks for perioperative complications. Placenta previa with or without accreta and intra-abdominal adhesions seem to be the major causes of increased morbidity.