Impact of adding a second layer to a single unlocked closure of a Cesarean uterine incision: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate short- and long-term effects on residual myometrial thickness (RMT) of adding a second layer to a single unlocked closure of a Cesarean uterine incision.

METHODS: This was a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Healthy nulliparous women scheduled for first-time elective Cesarean delivery were operated on using a modified version of the Misgav Ladach surgical technique. The women were examined by transabdominal ultrasound before discharge from the maternity ward and by transvaginal saline contrast sonohysterography at a minimum of 5 months postpartum.

RESULTS: Seventy-six nulliparae met the criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Thirty-five women were assigned to the single-layer technique and 38 to the double-layer unlocked closure technique. Groups were comparable regarding gestational age at delivery, duration of surgery and perioperative blood loss. There was no difference in RMT between the two groups, both at time of discharge (mean ± SD, 20.2 ± 8.0 mm vs 21.0 ± 9.7 mm) and after 5 months postpartum (mean, 5.7 ± 2.9 mm vs 5.7 ± 2.2 mm). RMT was approximately half that of the normal myometrium at both examinations.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that double-layer closure of a Cesarean uterine incision does not increase RMT compared with single-layer closure when an unlocked technique is used.