CASE DESCRIPTION
  • The patient is a 30 year old G2P1 with a body mass index of 70 and one prior Caesarean section. The patient elected to have a repeat Caesarean section for delivery.
  • Following a supra-umbilical transverse incision, the subcutaneous tissue, rectus fascia and peritoneum are divided.
  • In patients with an elevated BMI, the excess adipose tissue may stretch the rectus fascia and displace the rectus abdominis muscles laterally. A slightly upward curved transverse incision is made on the rectus fascia, keeping a safe distance from the rectus abdominis muscle and the inferior epigastric arteries.
  • An abdominal surgical retractor is placed to maximize exposure of the uterus.
  • A transverse incision is made in the lower uterine segment. The infant’s head is flexed and gently elevated towards the uterine incision. With lateral support to maintain the infant in caudal-cranial axis, fundal pressure is applied to facilitate delivery.
  • The uterine closure is performed in two layers. The first layer is approximated using a locked continuous suture. The second layer uses an imbricating method, burying the first layer of closure.
  • The peritoneum and the rectus fascia are closed. The subcutaneous tissue is closed in layers, followed by skin closure.
  • A negative pressure wound therapy system is used to facilitate healing and minimize wound complications.

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