Postplacental Copper Intrauterine Device Versus Postpartum Progesterone-only Pills on Uterine Niche Formation

NCT ID: NCT07264933

Last Updated: 2025-12-10

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

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

750 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-02-12

Study Completion Date

2026-02-05

Brief Summary

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The purpose of the study is to determine whether immediate postplacental copper T380A intrauterine device insertion increases uterine-niche incidence compared with postpartum progestin-only pills after primary cesarean section .

Detailed Description

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Eligible primigravida participants aged 18-45 years with a gestational age of ≥37 weeks undergoing a primary cesarean section for any indication were required to provide written informed consent, agree to attend follow-up visits for 6 months postpartum, and express a desire for postpartum contraception. After confirming eligibility and obtaining consent, a trained nurse selected an envelope for each patient and revealed the allocation to the patient and the operating obstetrician. Participants were randomized1:1 to either immediate postplacental insertion of copper T380A intrauterine device performed intraoperatively using the standardized intracesarean introducer-withdrawal technique or not to receive an intraoperative intrauterine device but they were instructed to initiate progesterone-only pills 4 weeks postpartum and at least 5 days before resuming sexual activity, till at least the end of 6th month postpartum. All lower-segment cesarean sections were performed by qualified obstetricians at Benha University Hospitals who were trained on the study protocol. The standard Kerr technique was used for the uterine incision, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure with braided polyglycolic acid 0-1 sutures, ensuring decidual sparing and visceral peritoneum closure. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 3 and 6 months postpartum.

* Ultrasound Assessment: Two independent, trained sonographers-blinded to each other's findings-perform transvaginal ultrasound examinations in both sagittal and coronal planes. At 3 and 6 months postpartum,intrauterine device displacement is considered if the distance between the dome of the uterine cavity to the upper part of the intrauterine device is \> 3 mm and these participants will be provided with another method of contraception according to their wish and will be excluded from the final analysis . At 3 and 6 months postpartum, a niche is defined as an indentation ≥2 mm in the myometrium at the previous cesarean scar site. At 6 months postpartum uterine niche depth, length, width and residual myometrial thickness are to be recorded .
* Clinical Assessment: A separate obstetrician/gynecologist will collect data on menstrual patterns and breastfeeding initiation and continuation .

Conditions

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Scar Niche Myometrial Remodeling Contraceptive Device; Complications Cesarean Section Complications

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Postpartum progesterone-only pills

In the control group, participants did not receive an intraoperative intrauterine device . They were instructed to initiate daily oral intake of progesterone-only pills at 4 weeks postpartum and at least 5 days before resuming sexual activity and to continue using it till at least the end of the sixth month postpartum.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Primary Cesarean Section

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

All lower-segment cesarean sections were performed by qualified obstetricians at Benha University Hospitals who were trained on the study protocol. The standard Kerr technique was used for the uterine incision, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure with braided polyglycolic acid 0-1 sutures, with decidual sparing and visceral peritoneal closure.

progesterone-only pills

Intervention Type DRUG

Participants were instructed to initiate daily oral intake of progesterone-only pills containing 0.03 mg levonorgestrel per pill (Microlut®; Bayer) at 4 weeks postpartum and at least 5 days before resuming sexual activity. The participants were asked to use it continuously at least till the end of the 6th month postpartum. This product is commercially available in Egypt and contains 35 active tablets per pack.

Transvaginal ultrasound

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Two independent, trained sonographers-blinded to each other's findings- will perform transvaginal ultrasound examinations in both sagittal and coronal planes. At 3 and 6 months postpartum,intrauterine device displacement is considered if the distance between the dome of the uterine cavity to the upper part of the intrauterine device is \> 3 mm and these participants will be excluded from the final analysis . At 3 and 6 months postpartum, a niche is defined as an indentation ≥2 mm in the myometrium at the previous cesarean scar site. At 6 months postpartum uterine niche depth, length, width and residual myometrial thickness are to be recorded .

Immediate postplacental copper T380A intrauterine device

In the Study group, immediate postplacental insertion of a copper T380A intrauterine device was performed intraoperatively using the standardized intracesarean introducer-withdrawal technique.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Primary Cesarean Section

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

All lower-segment cesarean sections were performed by qualified obstetricians at Benha University Hospitals who were trained on the study protocol. The standard Kerr technique was used for the uterine incision, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure with braided polyglycolic acid 0-1 sutures, with decidual sparing and visceral peritoneal closure.

immediate postplacental insertion of a copper T380A intrauterine device

Intervention Type DEVICE

immediate postplacental insertion of a copper T380A intrauterine device was performed intraoperatively using the standardized intracesarean introducer-withdrawal technique. The intrauterine device introducer with the intrauterine device threads inside is trimmed to 12 cm. The uterus is held and stabilized with the non-dominant hand, and the introducer is inserted first downwards through the cervical canal before pushing it up to put it firmly against the endometrium of the uterine fundus. Then, it is pulled gently down through the cervical canal to the vagina while pressing on the fundus with the non-dominant hand, thus ensuring that the intrauterine device is kept at the fundus and that the intrauterine device threads are in the cervical canal. the introducer is removed gently manually from the vagina at the end of the cesarean section after closure of the skin and ceiling of the wound .

Transvaginal ultrasound

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Two independent, trained sonographers-blinded to each other's findings- will perform transvaginal ultrasound examinations in both sagittal and coronal planes. At 3 and 6 months postpartum,intrauterine device displacement is considered if the distance between the dome of the uterine cavity to the upper part of the intrauterine device is \> 3 mm and these participants will be excluded from the final analysis . At 3 and 6 months postpartum, a niche is defined as an indentation ≥2 mm in the myometrium at the previous cesarean scar site. At 6 months postpartum uterine niche depth, length, width and residual myometrial thickness are to be recorded .

Interventions

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Primary Cesarean Section

All lower-segment cesarean sections were performed by qualified obstetricians at Benha University Hospitals who were trained on the study protocol. The standard Kerr technique was used for the uterine incision, followed by double-layer continuous myometrial closure with braided polyglycolic acid 0-1 sutures, with decidual sparing and visceral peritoneal closure.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

immediate postplacental insertion of a copper T380A intrauterine device

immediate postplacental insertion of a copper T380A intrauterine device was performed intraoperatively using the standardized intracesarean introducer-withdrawal technique. The intrauterine device introducer with the intrauterine device threads inside is trimmed to 12 cm. The uterus is held and stabilized with the non-dominant hand, and the introducer is inserted first downwards through the cervical canal before pushing it up to put it firmly against the endometrium of the uterine fundus. Then, it is pulled gently down through the cervical canal to the vagina while pressing on the fundus with the non-dominant hand, thus ensuring that the intrauterine device is kept at the fundus and that the intrauterine device threads are in the cervical canal. the introducer is removed gently manually from the vagina at the end of the cesarean section after closure of the skin and ceiling of the wound .

Intervention Type DEVICE

progesterone-only pills

Participants were instructed to initiate daily oral intake of progesterone-only pills containing 0.03 mg levonorgestrel per pill (Microlut®; Bayer) at 4 weeks postpartum and at least 5 days before resuming sexual activity. The participants were asked to use it continuously at least till the end of the 6th month postpartum. This product is commercially available in Egypt and contains 35 active tablets per pack.

Intervention Type DRUG

Transvaginal ultrasound

Two independent, trained sonographers-blinded to each other's findings- will perform transvaginal ultrasound examinations in both sagittal and coronal planes. At 3 and 6 months postpartum,intrauterine device displacement is considered if the distance between the dome of the uterine cavity to the upper part of the intrauterine device is \> 3 mm and these participants will be excluded from the final analysis . At 3 and 6 months postpartum, a niche is defined as an indentation ≥2 mm in the myometrium at the previous cesarean scar site. At 6 months postpartum uterine niche depth, length, width and residual myometrial thickness are to be recorded .

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Other Intervention Names

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Microlut®; Bayer

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* primigravida with a gestational age of ≥37 weeks
* express a desire for postpartum contraception.
* acceptance to participate and to provide written informed consent
* willing to attend follow-up for 6 months postpartum.

Exclusion Criteria

* Known uterine anomalies
* Chorioamnionitis
* Premature rupture of membranes \> 24 hours
* Previous uterine surgery
* Cervical dysplasia
* Uterine fibroids
* Multiple gestation
* Placenta previa or placental abruption
* Preeclampsia or eclampsia
* Hemoglobin \< 10 g/dL
* Any uncontrolled systemic disease
* Current tobacco use
* Chronic corticosteroid therapy
* 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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Committee on Practice Bulletins-Gynecology, Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Work Group. Practice Bulletin No. 186: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Implants and Intrauterine Devices. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Nov;130(5):e251-e269. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002400.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29064972 (View on PubMed)

Wu M, Eisenberg R, Negassa A, Levi E. Associations between immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception and short interpregnancy intervals. Contraception. 2020 Dec;102(6):409-413. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2020.08.016. Epub 2020 Sep 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32918870 (View on PubMed)

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)

Doulaveris G, Jou J, Leung WK, Bircaj E, Orfanelli T, Atrio J, Dar P, Rotenberg O. Association of Intrauterine Device Malposition With Previous Cesarean Delivery and Related Uterine Anatomical Changes. J Ultrasound Med. 2024 Jun;43(6):1121-1129. doi: 10.1002/jum.16440. Epub 2024 Feb 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38421056 (View on PubMed)

Seleem M, Sedik MM, Megahed AMM, Nabil H. Conventional manual technique of post placental IUD insertion versus intra-cesarean post placental introducer withdrawal IUD insertion technique: a new standardized technique for IUD insertion during cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023 Jun 26;23(1):474. doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05777-1.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 37365489 (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)

Levi EE, Stuart GS, Zerden ML, Garrett JM, Bryant AG. Intrauterine Device Placement During Cesarean Delivery and Continued Use 6 Months Postpartum: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Jul;126(1):5-11. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000000882.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26241250 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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RC12-2-2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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