Midline versus Pfannenstiel incision scars in repeat caesarean sections

Abstract

It is a commonly held belief that a repeat caesarean section through a low vertical scar provides easier access and fewer complications than an operation through a previous Pfannenstiel incision. To test this hypothesis the records of one hundred and twenty one repeat caesarean sections were retrospectively reviewed by the author. These records were reviewed at the two large teaching hospitals of the University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath and Johannesburg General Hospital. Statistically significant findings were that older women were more likely to have had an initial midline incision. Incision to delivery times were faster via the midline (4 min) than the Pfannenstiel incision (5.5 min). Total operating times did not differ significantly. The findings do show that repeat midline incisions are faster (1.5 min) to deliver, but do not address the patient’s need for a cosmetically pleasing wound scar.