Evidence Based C.SEvidence Based C.Sevidence that mattersevidence that matters

IntroductionIntroduction

Good doctors rely on both their expertise Good doctors rely on both their expertise and the evidence in providing their and the evidence in providing their patients with the best care possiblepatients with the best care possible

Evidence that matters Evidence that matters

Meaning focusing the efforts to find Meaning focusing the efforts to find evidence that is more practical and useful evidence that is more practical and useful to the patientto the patient

patient-oriented evidence patient-oriented evidence

C.SC.S defined as the birth of a fetus through defined as the birth of a fetus through

incisions in the abdominal wall incisions in the abdominal wall (laparotomy)(laparotomy)

Frequency : Frequency : IncreasedIncreased Reduced parity Reduced parity Older women are having children Older women are having children Electronic fetal monitoring Electronic fetal monitoring Breech presentations Breech presentations The incidence of midpelvic vaginal deliveries The incidence of midpelvic vaginal deliveries

has decreased has decreased Malpractice litigation Malpractice litigation Socioeconomic and demographic factors Socioeconomic and demographic factors

Problems with EvidenceProblems with Evidence

Surgical techniques vary widely

Randomised trials comparing different techniques are limited: small sample sizes short-term follow-ups Many existing trials have methodological

problems

The operating table for CS should have a lateral tilt of 15 degrees, because this reduces maternal hypotension.

IncisionIncision

The transverse incision of choice should be the Joel Cohen incision (subsequent tissue layers are opened bluntly

because it is associated with shorter operating times and reduced postoperative febrile morbidity.

Uterine incisionUterine incision

blunt rather than sharp extension of the uterine incision should be used because it reduces blood loss, incidence of postpartum haemorrhage

PlacentaPlacenta

At CS, the placenta should be removed using controlled cord traction and not manual removal as this reduces the risk of endometritis.

Exteriorisation

Intraperitoneal repair of the uterus at CS should be undertaken. Exteriorisation of the uterus is not recommended because it is associated with more pain and does not improve operative outcomes such as haemorrhage and infection.

Single versus double layer closure of the uterus

96% of obstetricians in UK report closing uterus in 2 layers

Incidence of rupture uterus is reported to be higher with single layer closure

Neither the visceral nor the parietal peritoneum should be sutured at CS because this reduces operating time, the need for postoperative analgesia and improves maternal satisfaction.

SC tissueSC tissue

Routine closure of the subcutaneous tissue space should not be used, unless the woman has more than 2 cm subcutaneous fat, because it does not reduce the incidence of wound infection.

DrainsDrains

Superficial wound drains should not be used at CS because they do not decrease the incidence of wound infection or wound haematoma.

Antibiotics

prophylactic antibiotics should be offered,, to reduce the risk of postoperative infections (such as endometritis, urinary tract and wound infection) which occurs in about 8% of women who have had a CS.

Breech presentationBreech presentation

Women who have an uncomplicated Women who have an uncomplicated singleton breech pregnancy at 36 weeks singleton breech pregnancy at 36 weeks gestation should be offered external gestation should be offered external cephalic version. cephalic version.

Do CSDo CS

Pregnant women with a singleton breech Pregnant women with a singleton breech presentation at term, for whom externalpresentation at term, for whom external

cephalic version is contraindicated or has cephalic version is contraindicated or has been unsuccessful, should be offered CS been unsuccessful, should be offered CS as it reduces perinatal mortality and as it reduces perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity.neonatal morbidity.

Multiple pregnancyMultiple pregnancy

perinatal morbidity and mortality is perinatal morbidity and mortality is increased for the second twin.increased for the second twin.

However, the effect of planned CS in However, the effect of planned CS in improving outcome for the second twin improving outcome for the second twin remains uncertainremains uncertain

TwinTwin

In twin pregnancies where the first twin is In twin pregnancies where the first twin is not cephalic the effect of CS in improving not cephalic the effect of CS in improving outcome is uncertain but current practice outcome is uncertain but current practice is to offer a planned CS.is to offer a planned CS.

38ws38ws Planned CS for uncomplicated twin Planned CS for uncomplicated twin

pregnancy should not be carried out pregnancy should not be carried out before 38 weeks because this increases before 38 weeks because this increases the risk of respiratory problemsthe risk of respiratory problems

Preterm birthPreterm birth

Preterm birth is associated with higher Preterm birth is associated with higher neonatal morbidity and mortality. neonatal morbidity and mortality.

However, the effect of planned CS in However, the effect of planned CS in improving these outcomes remains improving these outcomes remains uncertainuncertain

Small for gestational ageSmall for gestational age

The risk of neonatal morbidity and The risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality is higher with ‘small for mortality is higher with ‘small for gestational age’ babies.gestational age’ babies.

However, the effect of planned CS in However, the effect of planned CS in improving this outcome remains uncertainimproving this outcome remains uncertain

Predicting CS for cephalopelvic disproportion in labour

maternal height and estimations of fetal size (ultrasound or clinical examination) do not accurately predict cephalopelvic disproportion and should not be used to predict “failure to progress” during lab

Hepatitis CHepatitis C

Pregnant women who are co-infected with hepatitis C virus should be offered a planned CS as this reduces the mother-to-child-transmission of hepatitis C virus.

It is a LaparotomyIt is a Laparotomy

Maternal request is not on its own an indication for CS

Breastfeeding

ASAP. This is because women who have had a

CS are less likely to start breastfeeding in the first few hours after the birth, but, when breastfeeding is established, they are as likely to continue as women who have a vaginal birth.

NSADNSAD

Providing there is no contraindication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be offered post-CS as an adjunct to other analgesics, because they reduce the need for opioids.

ToTo Eat or not to EatEat or not to Eat

Women who are recovering well after CS and who do not have complications can eat and drink when they feel hungry or thirsty.

Discharge

women who are recovering well following CS should be offered early discharge (after 24 hours) from hospital.