Non-closure of peritoneum at cesarean section. Results from repeat cesarean sections]

A number of publications advocate the short-term advantages of peritoneal nonclosure at cesarean section. However, currently there are no hard data available about long-term results and the repeat cesareans.The study group of this retrospective analysis consisted of 30 women who underwent a repeat cesarean delivery, after a previous cesarean without closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum. The control group (n = 31) had undergone peritoneal closure at the primary operation. All cesareans were performed at the same institution between 04/01/1997 and 12/31/1998 (first operation), and 01/01/1999 and 06/30/2000 (repeat operation).The mean operation time was 38.9 (+/- 11.6) minutes in the study group and 44.2 (+/- 13.6) minutes in controls (p = 0.05). The mean incision-delivery time was 6.7 (+/- 3.2) minutes in the study group and 9.1 (+/- 3.9) minutes in controls (p < 0.01). No difference in intraoperative blood loss was observed between the two groups. In each cohort one case with significant intraabdominal adhesions was observed.Our results indicate that nonclosure of the peritoneum at primary cesarean section does not promote intraabdominal adhesions. This appears to be beneficial for the repeat cesareans.