The effect of suture materials with different absorption times on isthmocele: a retrospective study.

Objectives: With the increasing rate of cesarean operations, the formation of niches and related early and late complications have been observed more frequently. In this study, we examined the effects of using a suture material that can be absorbed faster than conventional sutures on the formation of niches.

Material and methods: This study was designed as a retrospective study and completed with a total of 101 patients. During the cesarean operation, the uterus was closed with Rapide Vicryl® in 49 patients and Vicryl® in 52 patients. The uterine niche was measured with a sonohysterogram 6 months after the operation. The primary outcome of the study was determined as uterine niche formation and the secondary outcome was the post-menstrual spotting (PMS) rate.

Results: Duration of surgery, intraoperative/postoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time were similar between the two groups. Niche formation was significantly lower in the Rapide Vicryl group (22.4%) when compared to the Vicryl group (42.3%) (p = 0.046). Also, PMS was observed significantly lower in the Rapide Vicryl group (16.2% and 52.8% in Rapide Vicryl and Vicryl groups, respectively; p = 0.002).

Conclusions: The formation of niches and associated PMS rates were less with suture materials that were absorbed faster.