External Pop Out cs vs Conventional Method for Fetal Head Extraction in Repeatedcaesarean Section.

Caesarean delivery (cs) is the most common major surgical procedure performed with over 1,2million performed per year . The increase in caesarean section rates seems uncontrollable with no signs that it is slowing down .

A great concern of caesarean delivery complications is incision extension , un intended extensions of uterine incision frequently occurs at the time of caesarean delivery with estimated incidence of 4-8% .

Some measures are taken to guard against incision extension as expansion of uterine incision in cephalocaudal direction which is associated with lower risk of un intended extension Head extraction during caesarean section is one of the most critical steps during caesarean section and one of the major contributors to un intended uterine incision extension . Delivery of the foetal head should be within 3minutes from opening the uterine incision.

Difficult extraction causes different hazards as foetal respiratory distress syndrome , incision extension, bleeding.

The original technique of foetal head extraction entails introduction of obstetrician hands or other instruments into lower uterine segment (LUS) .

Criticizing the standard:

Insertion of obstetrician hand inside the uterine incision will occupy more space and this will increase possibility of incision extension and puts the LUS at risk of damage and increased blood loss, increased operative time , Interfere with head rotation &repositioning of the head may happen during head delivery leading to difficult extraction.

Inadequate opening will add more pressure on uterine incision increasing possibility of extension.

In cases of repeated c s , lower uterine segment is thin, adherent to the urinary bladder this makes the conventional method of head extraction unreliable causing more bleeding, extension, bladder injury, more operative time, postoperative adhesions.

The rational of EPO technique:

Support of the lower uterine segment and bladder without introduction of the obstetrician hand in the uterine incision so as not to occupy more space ; this help rotation of the foetal head facilitating head delivery, protecting LUS incision from extension.

Preoperative sonographic assessment of the lower uterine segment thickness will be done within two weeks of delivery using transabdominal us with critical cut off value of 2.5 mm which is associated with dehiscent scar according to ROC curve.

Inclusion criteria

• Cases with repeated c s.
• Elective c s.
• Singleton pregnancy.
• Full term pregnancy.

-BMI below30

• Cephalic presentation.
• Women who accepted to participate in the study.
• Placenta away from the lower segment

Exclusion criteria

• Fibroid uterus.
• Infection as chorioamnionitis.
• Maternal comorbidities.
• Uterine anomalies.
• Major Foetal congenital anomalies.
• Placenta previa.

Placental separation.

Dehiscent LUS scar as assessed by us with cut off value 2.5mm.

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