Multidetector Computed Tomography Evaluation of Uncommon Acute Post-Caesarean Section Complications

Abstract

Introduction. The most common major abdominal surgery in women is caesarean section. Despite being a safe procedure, a variety of complications, both acute and chronic, can occur. About 14.5% of caesarean sections result in complications. Infection followed by postpartum haemorrhage is the most frequent complication. Imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and multidetector computed tomography are often used in the evaluation of suspected uncommon post-caesarean complications. Computed tomography has been found to be a good initial modality for assessing acute postoperative complications after caesarean delivery. The objective of the research was to evaluate the imaging findings and the characteristic visual manifestations of atypical acute complications of caesarean section, other than common complications such as postpartum haemorrhage, wound infection, etc. Materials and Methods. This prospective study was carried out at the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Government Medical College, Srinagar from June 2019 to February 2020 in collaboration with the Department of General Surgery and Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. All patients with suspected complication in the immediate post-caesarean period were evaluated with contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography. Results. Out of 427 patients who underwent caesarean section, 25 patients were suspected of having uncommon acute complications. Out of 25 patients evaluated for suspected immediate post-caesarean complication, only 5 patients had bladder flap hematoma, 8 patients were diagnosed with uterine dehiscence, 6 patients had uterine rupture, 3 patients suffered from ureteral injury, 1 patient had gossypiboma, 2 patients developed pelvic sepsis. Conclusions. Multidetector computed tomography plays an important role in detection and confirmation of multiple acute complications after caesarean delivery and can also help in guiding the management of complications as well.

Keywords

• multidetector computed tomography (mdct)
• caesarean section
• abscess
• hematoma
• uterine rupture
• gossypiboma