Abdominopelvic ultrasonographic findings after uncomplicated delivery

Purpose: To prospectively determine the range of abdominopelvic ultrasonographic findings, including Doppler resistance index (RI) of uterine arteries, 2 and 24 hours after uncomplicated delivery. Method: Women who delivered vaginally or after cesarean section without complication from January 2012 to April 2012 in a tertiary care hospital were prospectively included. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography, including uterine artery resistance index (RI) at duplex Doppler ultrasonography, was performed 2 hours and 24 hours after delivery. Results: Ninety-two women (mean age, 32.7 years) were included. Sixty-one (66%) delivered vaginally and 31 (34%) had cesarean section. Twenty-four hours after vaginal delivery, endometrial and anterior wall thicknesses dropped and uterine width increased (P < 0.001). No changes in uterine length and posterior wall thickness were observed between 2 and 24 hours after delivery. Transient pelvic free-fluid effusion was observed in 1/92 woman (1%). Uterine artery RI increased significantly from 2 to 24 hours (0.50 vs 0.57, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Pelvic free-fluid effusion is exceedingly rare in the early course of uncomplicated delivery. A significant increase in uterine artery RI during the 24 hours following uncomplicated delivery is a normal finding. It can be anticipated that familiarity with these findings would result in more confident diagnosis of complications. (C) 2015 Editions francaises de radiologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.