Endometriosis, wound separation don't prolong C-section.(Obstetrics)

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. -- A prospective observational study of 1,656 cesarean deliveries has produced a detailed portrait of factors leading to longer than usual operating times and the effects of long procedures on pregnancy outcomes.

Cesarean delivery is likely to be prolonged when a woman is older or overweight, according to data presented by investigator Everett F. Magann, M.D., at the annual meeting of the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Dr. Magann reported that maternal age above 35 years and a body mass index of 30 kg/[m.sup.2] or greater were significant factors.

Dr. Magann suggested that obstetricians may want to consider requesting stronger backup when they perform a cesarean delivery on a woman who is older and overweight.

"Maybe call a partner in and get more experienced help," he said, noting that longer procedures had negative effects on pregnancy outcomes.

"The most significant is that blood loss was increased, so you want to do your operation in a timely manner," Dr. Magann of the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va., said in an interview.

He and his associates were surprised by two factors that turned out not to prolong cesarean delivery. "Surprisingly, endometriosis and wound separation were unrelated to the operation time," they reported in a list of conclusions on the poster.