Results of studies comparing trial of labour and emergency repeat caesarean delivery


Sample size

No (%) of uterine ruptures

Study

Characteristics of population

TOL

ERCD

Uterine exploration

Symptomatic

Asymptomatic

Reported associated major morbidity

Cowan 199412

All vertical scars excluded; unclassified scars and more than 1 previous caesarean allowed

593



Not reported

TOL - 5 (0.8)

Not reported

1 fetus with severe neurological sequelae

Flamm 199415

All vertical scars excluded; unclassified scars allowed

5022

2207

Discretion

TOL - 39 (0.8)

Not reported

0 maternal and neonatal deaths, 3/39 hysterectomies

Duff 198813

One prior LTCD and unclassified scar not allowed

227*



Yes

TOL - 1 (0.4)

Not reported

0 maternal or perinatal deaths

Flamm 198814

LTCD, unclassified scar and more than 1 previous caesarean allowed

1776{dagger}



Yes (discretion?)

TOL - 3 (0.2)

TOL - 11 (0.6)

Symptomatic UR: TOL - 0 maternal and neonatal deaths, 1 hysterectomy

Flamm 199016

LTCD, unclassified scars and more than 1 previous caesarean allowed

3957



Majority no longer did

TOL - 7 (0.2)

Not reported

0 maternal deaths; 1 hysterectomy with infant born vaginally, Apgar 9; 3 infants with Apgar <7 (one cerebral palsy at 15 months); 1 perinatal death related to rupture

Phelan 198721

Low vertical scars, unclassified scars, LTCD during 2nd year and more than 1 previous caesarean allowed

1796

314

Yes

TOL - 5 (0.3)

TOL - 34 (1.9) ERCD - 7 (2.2)

Symptomatic UR: TOL - 1 neonatal death, post rupture, scar intact, fetal bradycardia (sign), 4600g Apgar 0,0,3; none in transverse scar

Stoval 198722

More than 1 LTCD or LVCD allowed; not clear what was done with unclassified scars

272



Yes

TOL - 1 (0.4)

TOL - 6 (2.2)

Symptomatic UR: TOL - 0 maternal or fetal deaths

Paul 198520

Not more than 1 previous caesarean allowed; low vertical scars, unclassified scars and LTCD allowed

751

157

Yes

TOL - 5 (0.7){ddagger}

TOL - 11 (1.5){ddagger} ERCD - 4 (2.5){ddagger}

Symptomatic UR: TOL - 0 maternal deaths, 2 fetal deaths (classical incision 3 prior CD, fundal incision), 0 hysterectomies

Martin 198317

1 or more LTCD or LVCD allowed, no rupture occurred in the 76 with prior vertical scars

162

555

Yes

TOL - 1 failed (0.6) ERCD - 2 (0.4)

TOL - 1 successful, 3 failed (2.5) ERCD - 4 (0.7)

Symptomatic UR: TOL - 0 maternal or fetal deaths ERCD - 0 maternal or perinatal deaths, 0 hysterectomies

Meier 198219

1 or more LTCD allowed, no "obvious CPD" allowed

207

62

Not reported

Not reported

TOL - 1 (0.48) ERCD -1 (1.6)

Symptomatic UR: TOL - 0 maternal and fetal deaths

McMahon 19961

1 LTCD allowed; not clear what was done with unclassified scars

3249

2889

Not reported

TOL - 10 (0.3) ERCD - 1 (0.03)

Not reported

TOL - 0 maternal deaths, 2 perinatal deaths, 2 hysterectomies; ERCD - 0 maternal or perinatal deaths, 0 hysterectomies

CPD=cephalopelvic disproportion; ERCD=elective repeat caesarean delivery; LTCD=low transverse caesarean delivery; LVCD=low vertical caesarean delivery; TOL=trial of labour; UR=uterine rupture.

* Called dehiscence but symptomatic.

{dagger} One third still had thin layer of peritoneum over scar.

{ddagger} Included in Phelan 198721