Abstract: Background: Ultrasound is used to evaluate the Lower Uterine Segment, (LUS) especially if there is a previous scar, and it is more beneficial to predict the possibility of the occurrence of any complication during labour such as repeat caesarean section or during trial for vaginal delivery.
Aim: This study aimed to compare the lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness measured by both transvaginal (TVS) and transabdominal ultrasonography (TAS) after completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy with that measured manually using a calliper at the time of caesarean delivery and to determine minimum LUS thickness indicative of its integrity in women who have undergone a previous caesarean section.
Material and Methods: This was a single-centre, hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 18 months by enrolling a total of 120 pregnant women with previous one C-section. All patients were examined by both TAS and TVS to evaluate the thickness of the LUS and the thickness was reme asured using a vernier calliper intraoperatively.
Results: Of the 120 participants enrolled in the present study- 64 (53.3%) underwent elective LSCS and 56 (46.7%) underwent emergency LSCS. The mean thickness of the LUS as measured by TAS, TVS, and VC was 2.69 mm, 2.25 mm, and 2.22 mm, respectively. As the inter pregnancy interval increased, the thickness of the LUS increased. There were 3 cases of scar dehiscence, all cases were noted among women with scar thickness of < 2 mm on VC.
Conclusion: Transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of the lower uterine segment in previous LSCS patient is better predictor of LUS thickness in comparison to transabdominal sonography.
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