Cervical Dilatation and Curettage in Elective Caesarean Section. A Retrospective Analysis

Background/Aim: To analyze the influence of intraoperative cervical dilatation and curettage during elective Caesarean section (CS) on maternal morbidity. Patients and Methods: A total of 1,003 elective CS were retrospectively evaluated. Primary outcome measure was the influence of cervical dilatation and curettage on postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Several subgroup analyses were performed and a multiple logistic regression model was used in order to identify risk factors affecting PPH. Results: Multiple pregnancy (p=0.0025) and body mass index (p=0.0251) were identified as risk factors for PPH. Curettage, cervical dilatation, prior CS, age, and duration of pregnancy were statistically not significant at a level of alpha=0.10. There was a significantly higher proportion of women suffering from uterine sub-involution when the cervix was dilated (p=0.0482). The operating time was significantly longer when curettage and/or dilatation were performed (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Routine cervical dilatation and/or curettage in elective Caesarean section are not beneficial. Accomplishment of either or both of these measures led to a prolonged operating time, without improving the postoperative outcome.