Incidence and ultrasonographic characteristics of cesarean scar niches after uterine closure by double-layer barbed suture: A prospective comparative study.

Abstract

To compare the ultrasonographic features of uterine scars and clinical symptoms after cesarean delivery (CD) using barbed and conventional smooth sutures. This case-control study enrolled women who underwent primary CD at 37 weeks of pregnancy or later. The uterus was closed using either double-layer unidirectional barbed suture or conventional double-layer smooth suture. Ultrasound scans of the uterine scar and evaluations of menstrual patterns were performed at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. In all, 102 patients underwent uterine closure with barbed suture, while 135 patients underwent smooth suture. At 6months, patients in the barbed group had a lower incidence of uterine niches (20.2% vs 32.6%) that were also shallower in depth (P < 0.001). Lower incidence of niches was also observed in the barbed group at 12 and 24 months (P=0.043 and 0.048, respectively). At these two follow-up times, the smooth group had a higher number of patients reporting postmenstrual spotting (P < 0.05) and more postmenstrual spotting days per month (P < 0.050). The use of double-layer barbed suture during CD was associated with a lower incidence of scar niches and a more favorable menstrual pattern compared with the use of smooth suture.