Uterine Exteriorization Compared With In Situ Repair of Hysterotomy After Cesarean Delivery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of exteriorized with in situ uterine repair on intraoperative nausea and vomiting during elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia using a phenylephrine infusion. METHODS: This study was a randomized double-blinded controlled trial of 180 women undergoing elective cesarean delivery using a standardized anesthetic protocol. Patients were randomized to exteriorization (n=90) or in situ uterine repair (n=90). The spinal anesthetic, phenylephrine infusion, and blood pressure management were all standardized. The primary outcome was postdelivery intraoperative nausea and vomiting using a 4-point scale (0-3). A sample size of 80 patients per group was needed to demonstrate a 50% reduction in intraoperative nausea and vomiting with in situ repair. RESULTS: From November 2015 through July 2018, 180 patients were enrolled. Incidence of postdelivery intraoperative nausea and vomiting was 39% in the exteriorization group compared with 22% in the in situ group (P=.01). Incidence of hypotension (80% vs 50%; P<.001) and tachycardia (33% vs 17%; P=.02) was significantly higher in the exteriorization group, and more phenylephrine boluses were administered to this group (median 4 boluses [first and third quartiles 1.25-7] vs 2 [0-4]; P<.001). The duration of surgery, blood loss, and postoperative hemoglobin decline were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: In situ uterine repair for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia with a phenylephrine infusion is associated with less postdelivery intraoperative nausea and vomiting. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02587013.