The sonographic sliding sign for assessing intra-abdominal adhesions in expectant mothers

Background: Intra-abdominal adhesions are a common complication in pregnant patients with a history of cesarean sections. These adhesions can lead to increased risks during repeat cesarean sections, including bleeding, infection, hysterectomy, and injury to the bladder and bowel. Accurate assessment of these adhesions is crucial for managing and mitigating these risks. Objective: The purpose of this research is to track pregnant patients who have had at least one cesarean section in the past and assess their current pregnancy using ultrasound. Methods: The study involved assessing ultrasound findings for diagnosing intra-abdominal adhesions in pregnant women with a history of cesarean sections. The findings were then compared with intra-abdominal adhesions observed during surgery. Results: Out of the 52 women, only half (50.0%) had no adhesions, 12/52 (23.1%) had mild adhesions, and 8/52 (15.4%) had moderate adhesions. The remaining 6/52 (11.5%) had severe adhesions, resulting in a frozen pelvis. According to outcome definition 1, the rate of substantial adhesions was 26.9%, whereas the rate of any adhesions (outcome definition 2) was 50.0%. Conclusion: Ultrasound can be a valuable tool in diagnosing intra-abdominal adhesions in pregnant women with a history of cesarean sections, helping to predict the risk of complications during repeat cesarean sections.