Objective: To evaluate the effect of elective repeat cesarean section on the maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective clinic- and hospital-based survey was designed for comparing the maternal and neonatal outcomes of elective repeat cesarean section [RCS group (one previous cesarean section) and MRCS group (two or more previous cesarean sections)] and primary cesarean section (FCS group) at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1998 to December 2007.
Results: The incidence of repeat cesarean section increased from 1.26% to 7.32%. The mean gestational age at delivery in RCS group (38.1+/-1.8 weeks) and MRCS group (37.3+/-2.5 weeks) were significantly shorter than that in FCS group (38.9+/-2.1 weeks, all P<0.01). The incidence of complication was 33.8% and 33.3% in RCS group and MRCS group respectively, and was significantly higher than that in FCS group (7.9%, P<0.05). Dense adhesion (13.5% vs. 0.4%, OR=7.156, 95% CI: 1.7-30.7, P<0.01) and uterine rupture (1.0% vs. 0, P<0.05) were commoner in RCS group compared with FCS group. Neonatal morbidity was similar among three groups (P>0.05).
Conclusions: Repeat cesarean section is associated with more complicated surgery technique and increased frequency of maternal morbidity. However, the incidence of neonatal morbidity is similar to primary cesarean section.