Katherine Carbonell’s scientific contributions

INTRODUCTION Intrapartum cesarean deliveries (CDs) are associated with higher rates of maternal and neonatal morbidity than scheduled CDs. In patients undergoing trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC), perceived added difficulty of intrapartum CD may influence provider decisions on labor management. We sought to evaluate the effect of prior CD on operative times and maternal/neonatal outcomes among those undergoing intrapartum CD. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of all singleton, nonanomalous fetuses delivered by intrapartum CD at a tertiary care center from June 2018 to April 2019. CD was categorized as intrapartum if it occurred after the patient was admitted in spontaneous labor or received an induction agent. The primary outcome was time from skin incision to delivery. Secondary outcomes were composite measures of maternal (postpartum hemorrhage, bowel or bladder injury, transfusion, endomyometritis, intensive care unit admission, readmission, wound complications) and neonatal (neonatal intensive care unit admission, respiratory support, therapeutic hypothermia, neonatal mortality, and fetal acidemia) morbidity. We compared these outcomes between women with and without history of prior CD. Multivariable logistic regression was used to control for potential confounders. RESULTS Of 374 intrapartum CDs, 270 (72%) were in patients without prior cesarean section and 104 (28%) were in patients undergoing TOLAC. Operative times were significantly longer in women with a prior CD including time from skin incision to delivery (9 [interquartile range (IQR) 7–13] versus 6 minutes [IQR 3–8], P <.001) and total procedure time (63 [IQR 52–79] versus 55 minutes [IQR 45–65], P <.001). Composite maternal (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.04, 95% CI 0.62–1.74) and neonatal (aRR 1.01, 95% CI 0.63–1.64) morbidity did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION Although associated with longer operative times, history of a prior CD does not significantly increase maternal or neonatal morbidity among women undergoing intrapartum CD. Therefore, the threshold to perform an intrapartum CD in those undergoing TOLAC should be similar to those without a prior CD.