Evaluation of “J”-shaped uterine incision during caesarean section in patients with placenta previa: A retrospective study

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of "J"-shaped uterine incision for caesarean section for patients diagnosed with placenta previa. A total of 55 consecutive cases of placenta previa treated in Union Hospital were retrospectively analyzed over a period of two years and 10 months. The subjects were divided into two groups with respect to the uterine incision. Twenty-four pregnant women with placenta previa who were indicated for caesarean section underwent the procedure using a new "J"-shaped uterine incision and 31 pregnant women with placenta previa received caesarean section that used the traditional transverse incision. The two groups were compared in terms of operation time, estimated blood loss, infant expulsion time, exhaust time and postoperative recovery. Meanwhile, comparison was also made in neonatal clinical data between the two groups. Compared with the "J"-shaped incision group, the traditional incision group had a lower Apgar scores (P<0.05). However, there existed no statistically significant differences in the overall time of operation and postoperative period of breaking wind (P>0.05). It is concluded that, with caesarean section for placenta previa patients, the "J"-shaped uterine incision significantly decreases intraoperative blood loss and facilitates the fetal delivery.