Objective To determine which factors increase the risk of large caesarean scar defects as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound.Design Observational cross-sectional study.Setting University Hospital.Population One hundred and eight women who had undergone one caesarean section.Methods Transvaginal ultrasound examination of the scar in the uterus 6-9 months after the caesarean. Published ultrasound definitions of large scar defects were used. Clinical information was obtained from medical records after all ultrasound images had been evaluated. Conclusions Caesarean in advanced labour is associated with increased risk of incomplete healing of the uterine incision as determined by transvaginal ultrasound.

Objectives 23% (10/43) and 45% (5/11) (P = 0.027), and at least one total defect was seen in 6% (7/108), 7% (3/43) and 18% (2/11) (P = 0.336). In women who had undergone one Cesarean section, the median distance between an intact scar and the internal cervical os was 4.6 (range, 0-19)

Our results point toward a likely association between large defects in the hysterotomy scar after cesarean delivery detected by transvaginal ultrasonography in nonpregnant women and uterine rupture or dehiscence in subsequent pregnancy.

Objectives