CHANGES IN CESAREAN SCAR THICKNESS DURING PREGNANCY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Aim. To determine Cesarean scar (CS) thickness changes and evaluate residual myometrial thickness effects on the low uterine segment (LUS) and LUS myometrial thickness. Methods. A prospective study was performed at Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno klinikos Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Women with CS were observed. Measurements were performed during ultrasound examination at 11 13, 18–20 and 32–35 weeks of gestation. CS niche groups versus non-niche groups were formed. Friedman’s ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis. Results. 120 participants were included. CS niche was visible in 40.2% of cases. CS thickness decreased during pregnancy (p = 0.001), median decrease between the first and second trimesters was 8.9 mm (p < 0.001). In CS niche group, the myometrial thickness in the first trimester was statistically thinner (p < 0.001), myometrial LUS thickness (p = 0.019) as full LUS thickness (p = 0.022) significantly decreased between the second and third trimester. Conclusions. CS thickness changes throughout pregnancy. CS niche was associated with a more significant decrease in LUS myometrial thickness.