Uterine Scar Resection During Repeat Cesarean Delivery to Prevent Uterine Niche Formation

NCT ID: NCT07228858

Last Updated: 2025-12-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

170 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-02-09

Study Completion Date

2025-11-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether resection of the previous cesarean scar at repeat cesarean delivery reduces uterine niche formation and related morbidity without increasing operative risks.

Detailed Description

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After eligibility and consenting, multigravida women with ≥1 prior cesarean section scheduled for repeat cesarean section at ≥28 weeks' gestation for any indication were randomized to

* Study group: During repeat cesarean section, the prior uterine scar was resected. After creating the bladder flap, the uterus was incised 5 mm cranial to the scar and extended laterally 5 mm beyond its ends. Following delivery, a 1 cm segment of uterine wall (5 mm above and below the scar) was excised. The incision edges were approximated with a central vertical mattress suture, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure (including decidua) and visceral peritoneum closure.
* Control group: Standard repeat cesarean section without scar resection, followed by identical double-layer and peritoneal closure.

All procedures were performed by obstetricians trained in the protocol. All women received standard preoperative antibiotics, 24-hour postoperative prophylaxis, and 10 units intramuscular oxytocin after delivery.

At 6 months postpartum, all participants will undergo transvaginal ultrasound and saline infusion sonohysterography performed by a blinded, experienced examiner. Sagittal and coronal views willl be obtained, and niche presence, depth, length, width, and residual myometrial thickness are to be recorded.

Obstetricians were informed of assignment, while participants and ultrasound assessor are blinded.

Conditions

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Cesarean Section Complications Scar Niche Scarred Uterus

Keywords

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Repeated cesarean section Uterine niche Scar resection Residual myometrial thickness Randomized controlled trial

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors
Eligible women were randomized (1:1) using a computer-generated sequence in blocks of 10. Allocation was concealed in sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes opened by a trained nurse after consent. Obstetricians were informed of assignment, while participants , investigator, and ultrasound assessors remained blinded.

Study Groups

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uterine scar resection

During repeat cesarean section, the previous uterine cesarean section scar was resected.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Repeated cesarean section with previous uterine cesarean section scar resection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

After creating the bladder flap, the uterus was incised 5 mm cranial to the scar and extended laterally 5 mm beyond its ends. After delivery of the newborn, a 1 cm segment of uterine wall (5 mm above and 5 mm below the scar) was excised. The incision edges were approximated with a central vertical mattress suture, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure including decidua with visceral peritoneum closure.

Saline-infusion Sonohysterography

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

At 6 months postpartum, all participants are to be evaluated by a single blinded sonographer experienced in niche assessment. First, transvaginal ultrasound was performed to exclude pregnancy or pelvic pathology, followed by saline-infusion sonohysterography (2D, sagittal and coronal views). A niche is defined as ≥ 2 mm myometrial indentation at the scar site. Niche depth, length, width, and residual myometrial thickness are to be recorded.

Non scar resection

Standard repeat cesarean section without previous uterine cesarean section scar resection.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Repeated cesarean section without uterine scar resection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Standard repeat cesarean section without scar resection, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure including decidua with visceral peritoneum closure.

Saline-infusion Sonohysterography

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

At 6 months postpartum, all participants are to be evaluated by a single blinded sonographer experienced in niche assessment. First, transvaginal ultrasound was performed to exclude pregnancy or pelvic pathology, followed by saline-infusion sonohysterography (2D, sagittal and coronal views). A niche is defined as ≥ 2 mm myometrial indentation at the scar site. Niche depth, length, width, and residual myometrial thickness are to be recorded.

Interventions

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Repeated cesarean section with previous uterine cesarean section scar resection

After creating the bladder flap, the uterus was incised 5 mm cranial to the scar and extended laterally 5 mm beyond its ends. After delivery of the newborn, a 1 cm segment of uterine wall (5 mm above and 5 mm below the scar) was excised. The incision edges were approximated with a central vertical mattress suture, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure including decidua with visceral peritoneum closure.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Repeated cesarean section without uterine scar resection

Standard repeat cesarean section without scar resection, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure including decidua with visceral peritoneum closure.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Saline-infusion Sonohysterography

At 6 months postpartum, all participants are to be evaluated by a single blinded sonographer experienced in niche assessment. First, transvaginal ultrasound was performed to exclude pregnancy or pelvic pathology, followed by saline-infusion sonohysterography (2D, sagittal and coronal views). A niche is defined as ≥ 2 mm myometrial indentation at the scar site. Niche depth, length, width, and residual myometrial thickness are to be recorded.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* ≥1 prior cesarean section at ≥28 weeks' gestation.
* Undergoing repeat cesarean section for any indication.
* Provided informed consent and agreed to 6-month postpartum follow-up.
* Not planning pregnancy during follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria

* Uterine fibroids, multiple gestation, chorioamnionitis, placenta previa, placental abruption, or preeclampsia/eclampsia.
* Hepatic or renal dysfunction, uncontrolled diabetes, or hemoglobin \<10 g/dL.
* Systemic uncontrolled disease, chronic corticosteroid use, or smoking.
* Inability to provide informed consent.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Benha University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ahmed Abdel Latif Ahmed Alnezamy

Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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AHMED ALNEZAMY, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University

Locations

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Benha Univesity Hospital

Banhā, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt

Site Status

Countries

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Egypt

References

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Jordans IPM, de Leeuw RA, Stegwee SI, Amso NN, Barri-Soldevila PN, van den Bosch T, Bourne T, Brolmann HAM, Donnez O, Dueholm M, Hehenkamp WJK, Jastrow N, Jurkovic D, Mashiach R, Naji O, Streuli I, Timmerman D, van der Voet LF, Huirne JAF. Sonographic examination of uterine niche in non-pregnant women: a modified Delphi procedure. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jan;53(1):107-115. doi: 10.1002/uog.19049.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29536581 (View on PubMed)

Klein Meuleman SJM, Min N, Hehenkamp WJK, Post Uiterweer ED, Huirne JAF, de Leeuw RA. The definition, diagnosis, and symptoms of the uterine niche - A systematic review. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2023 Aug;90:102390. doi: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102390. Epub 2023 Jul 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37506497 (View on PubMed)

Vervoort A, Vissers J, Hehenkamp W, Brolmann H, Huirne J. The effect of laparoscopic resection of large niches in the uterine caesarean scar on symptoms, ultrasound findings and quality of life: a prospective cohort study. BJOG. 2018 Feb;125(3):317-325. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.14822. Epub 2017 Aug 28.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28703935 (View on PubMed)

Baranov A, Gunnarsson G, Salvesen KA, Isberg PE, Vikhareva O. Assessment of Cesarean hysterotomy scar in non-pregnant women: reliability of transvaginal sonography with and without contrast enhancement. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Apr;47(4):499-505. doi: 10.1002/uog.14833. Epub 2016 Feb 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25720922 (View on PubMed)

Osser OV, Jokubkiene L, Valentin L. High prevalence of defects in Cesarean section scars at transvaginal ultrasound examination. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Jul;34(1):90-7. doi: 10.1002/uog.6395.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 19499514 (View on PubMed)

Osser OV, Jokubkiene L, Valentin L. Cesarean section scar defects: agreement between transvaginal sonographic findings with and without saline contrast enhancement. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Jan;35(1):75-83. doi: 10.1002/uog.7496.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 20034000 (View on PubMed)

Sholapurkar SL. Etiology of Cesarean Uterine Scar Defect (Niche): Detailed Critical Analysis of Hypotheses and Prevention Strategies and Peritoneal Closure Debate. J Clin Med Res. 2018 Mar;10(3):166-173. doi: 10.14740/jocmr3271w. Epub 2018 Jan 26.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29416572 (View on PubMed)

Siraj SHM, Lional KM, Tan KH, Wright A. Repair of the myometrial scar defect at repeat caesarean section: a modified surgical technique. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021 Aug 17;21(1):559. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04040-9.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 34404382 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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RC9-2-2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id