Uterine Rupture
Description/Etiology
Uterine rupture, a rare condition in which the uterine muscles are torn apart due to
unrelieved obstructed labor, dehiscence of a previous cesarean section scar, or aggressive
induction or augmentation of labor, is a life-threatening condition for both mother and
fetus that may result in hemorrhage, hypoxic ischemic neonatal encephalopathy, maternal
genitourinary injury, hysterectomy, and maternal and/or fetal death. Most cases of uterine
rupture occur in women who have had previous uterine surgery, although rupture of an
unscarred uterus is possible.
Rupture of the uterus may occur during labor or just after delivery, and may be complete or
incomplete. Complete uterine rupture is a life-threatening obstetrical emergency in which
the entire thickness of the organ tears and fetal parts extrude into the peritoneal cavity. It
may be caused by rupture of a uterine scar; trauma from surgery, an attack, or an injury; a
congenital anomaly of the mother (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) or fetus; carrying more
than 6 fetuses and polyhydramnios (i.e., excess amniotic fluid); a difficult forceps delivery;
obstructed labor; or crack cocaine use. Treatment is immediate delivery of the fetus and
placenta (in rupture that occurs during pregnancy), transfusion and oxytocin to control blood
loss, and surgical intervention for uterine repair or hysterectomy.
Incomplete uterine rupture is characterized by dehiscence (i.e., separation or thinning) of
an existing scar, typically from a previous cesarean section. Close uterine monitoring is
required, but interventions are usually unnecessary because the visceral peritoneum remains
intact and the fetus typically remains in the uterus. Symptoms, if any, may initially be subtle,
but abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding may ensue.
Facts and Figures
The incidence of cesarean section has been rising in the United States and reached the
highest rate ever in 2007, 31.8%. From 1981 to 1998, the vaginal birth after cesarean
delivery (VBAC) rate increased from 3.1% to 31%; due to reports of increased risk to the
mother and neonate, the VBAC rate then dropped to 9.2% in 2004. The risk for uterine
rupture during VBAC is 0.2–1.5% in women with previous low-segment transverse cesarean
section. Complete uterine rupture in women who have not had obstetric surgery is rare,
occurring in 1 in 8,000 to 1 in 15,000 births. In developing countries, complete uterine
rupture is much more common due to the lack of adequate obstetric care. In countries with
adequate health care, maternal deaths from uterine rupture have declined sharply, but fetal
mortality remains about 50%.
Risk Factors
Previous cesarean section is the primary risk factor for complete uterine rupture. A classical
(i.e., vertical) incision on a previous cesarean section elevates risk for uterine rupture to a
much greater extent than a lower abdominal “bikini” incision; multiple cesarean deliveries,
prior preterm cesarean section, short interpregnancy interval (i.e., < 18 months), and single
layer uterine closure all increase risk for uterine rupture. The risk of uterine rupture is
increased in women undergoing a trial of labor (TOL) compared to women undergoing
elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD).There is currently no reliable way to estimate the
risk of uterine rupture during a TOL in women with previous cesarean section scars. Other
surgeries associated with elevated risk for uterine rupture are myomectomy (i.e., surgicalremoval of uterine fibroids), hysterotomy (i.e., uterine incision for cesarean section or other reason), and fetal surgery.
Researchers report that large defects in the hysterotomy scar after cesarean section detected on transvaginal ultrasonography
in nonpregnant women are likely associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture or dehiscence in subsequent pregnancy
(Osser et al., 2011). Risk factors for rupture of an unscarred uterus include cephalopelvic disproportion, malpresentation,
multiparity, and instrumental delivery. Induction of labor, especially with prostaglandins and oxytocin, increases the risk for
uterine rupture, and risk increases with increased dose and duration of oxytocin use. Additional risk factors include cigarette
smoking, diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, previous stillbirth, obesity, and maternal age ≥ 35 years.
Signs and Symptoms/Clinical Presentation
General signs and symptoms of uterine rupture are vomiting, syncope, pallor, and abdominal pain. Antepartum uterine rupture
presents as abdominal pain and bleeding that usually is primarily internal but may also be vaginal. Changes in fetal heart rate
tracing, particularly bradycardia and late decelerations, may occur in intrapartum uterine rupture. Postpartum complete uterine
rupture causes abdominal pain and tenderness and usually hemorrhage.
Assessment
› Patient History
• Obtain a complete obstetrical history, including number of pregnancies and gynecological and obstetric surgeries
• Ask about recent trauma to the abdomen
› Physical Findings of Particular Interest
• Change in the shape of the uterus, tenderness, and the ability to palpate fetal parts suggest uterine rupture but are not
diagnostic
• Signs and symptoms of imminent uterine rupture (e.g., no dilatation, tetanic [i.e., twitching] uterine contractions, maternal
anxiety, maternal pain, change in fetal heart rate, increased uterine tonus) may be present
› Laboratory Tests That May Be Ordered
• Immediate blood typing and crossmatching is usual
› Other Diagnostic Tests/Studies
• Electronic fetal monitoring may detect abnormal heart rate
Treatment Goals
› Intensively Monitor and Maintain Optimum Physiologic Status
• Monitor vital signs, assess all maternal and fetal (as appropriate) physiologic systems (especially hemodynamic and
respiratory status), and review laboratory test results (e.g., monitor for inadequate oxygen saturation and anemia);
immediately report abnormalities and treat, as ordered
–Monitor for and identify signs and symptoms of imminent uterine rupture (e.g., no dilatation, tetanic uterine contractions,
anxiety, pain, change in fetal heart rate, increased uterine tonus)
• Assess for pain; administer analgesia, as ordered
• Maintain optimum physiologic status if uterine rupture occurs, e.g.,
–administer prescribed medications; monitor for shock
–maintain patient safety (e.g., airway, circulation, and prevention of injury)
–administer blood transfusion, as ordered
–monitor intake and output; replace fluids, as appropriate
• Follow facility pre- and postsurgical protocols if patient becomes a surgical candidate (e.g., for hysterectomy or other
surgical resolution to uterine rupture)
–Reinforce pre- and postsurgical education about treatment risks and benefits; ensure completion of informed consent
documentation
–Monitor postsurgical site for infection and change dressings, as ordered; give prophylactic antibiotics or treat existing
infection with antibiotics, as ordered
› Provide Emotional/Psychological Support and Educate
• Assess pregnant patient’s anxiety level and coping ability; educate and encourage discussion of uterine rupture risk factors,
treatment risks and benefits, follow-up medical surveillance, and individualized prognosis
• Request clinician referral, if appropriate, to a mental health clinician for counseling on coping with a life-threatening
condition or fetal complications/demise
Uterine Rupture
Description/Etiology
Uterine rupture, a rare condition in which the uterine muscles are torn apart due to
unrelieved obstructed labor, dehiscence of a previous cesarean section scar, or aggressive
induction or augmentation of labor, is a life-threatening condition for both mother and
fetus that may result in hemorrhage, hypoxic ischemic neonatal encephalopathy, maternal
genitourinary injury, hysterectomy, and maternal and/or fetal death. Most cases of uterine
rupture occur in women who have had previous uterine surgery, although rupture of an
unscarred uterus is possible.
Rupture of the uterus may occur during labor or just after delivery, and may be complete or
incomplete. Complete uterine rupture is a life-threatening obstetrical emergency in which
the entire thickness of the organ tears and fetal parts extrude into the peritoneal cavity. It
may be caused by rupture of a uterine scar; trauma from surgery, an attack, or an injury; a
congenital anomaly of the mother (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) or fetus; carrying more
than 6 fetuses and polyhydramnios (i.e., excess amniotic fluid); a difficult forceps delivery;
obstructed labor; or crack cocaine use. Treatment is immediate delivery of the fetus and
placenta (in rupture that occurs during pregnancy), transfusion and oxytocin to control blood
loss, and surgical intervention for uterine repair or hysterectomy.
Incomplete uterine rupture is characterized by dehiscence (i.e., separation or thinning) of
an existing scar, typically from a previous cesarean section. Close uterine monitoring is
required, but interventions are usually unnecessary because the visceral peritoneum remains
intact and the fetus typically remains in the uterus. Symptoms, if any, may initially be subtle,
but abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding may ensue.
Facts and Figures
The incidence of cesarean section has been rising in the United States and reached the
highest rate ever in 2007, 31.8%. From 1981 to 1998, the vaginal birth after cesarean
delivery (VBAC) rate increased from 3.1% to 31%; due to reports of increased risk to the
mother and neonate, the VBAC rate then dropped to 9.2% in 2004. The risk for uterine
rupture during VBAC is 0.2–1.5% in women with previous low-segment transverse cesarean
section. Complete uterine rupture in women who have not had obstetric surgery is rare,
occurring in 1 in 8,000 to 1 in 15,000 births. In developing countries, complete uterine
rupture is much more common due to the lack of adequate obstetric care. In countries with
adequate health care, maternal deaths from uterine rupture have declined sharply, but fetal
mortality remains about 50%.
Risk Factors
Previous cesarean section is the primary risk factor for complete uterine rupture. A classical
(i.e., vertical) incision on a previous cesarean section elevates risk for uterine rupture to a
much greater extent than a lower abdominal “bikini” incision; multiple cesarean deliveries,
prior preterm cesarean section, short interpregnancy interval (i.e., < 18 months), and single
layer uterine closure all increase risk for uterine rupture. The risk of uterine rupture is
increased in women undergoing a trial of labor (TOL) compared to women undergoing
elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD).There is currently no reliable way to estimate the
risk of uterine rupture during a TOL in women with previous cesarean section scars. Other
surgeries associated with elevated risk for uterine rupture are myomectomy (i.e., surgicalremoval of uterine fibroids), hysterotomy (i.e., uterine incision for cesarean section or other reason), and fetal surgery.
Researchers report that large defects in the hysterotomy scar after cesarean section detected on transvaginal ultrasonography
in nonpregnant women are likely associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture or dehiscence in subsequent pregnancy
(Osser et al., 2011). Risk factors for rupture of an unscarred uterus include cephalopelvic disproportion, malpresentation,
multiparity, and instrumental delivery. Induction of labor, especially with prostaglandins and oxytocin, increases the risk for
uterine rupture, and risk increases with increased dose and duration of oxytocin use. Additional risk factors include cigarette
smoking, diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, previous stillbirth, obesity, and maternal age ≥ 35 years.
Signs and Symptoms/Clinical Presentation
General signs and symptoms of uterine rupture are vomiting, syncope, pallor, and abdominal pain. Antepartum uterine rupture
presents as abdominal pain and bleeding that usually is primarily internal but may also be vaginal. Changes in fetal heart rate
tracing, particularly bradycardia and late decelerations, may occur in intrapartum uterine rupture. Postpartum complete uterine
rupture causes abdominal pain and tenderness and usually hemorrhage.
Assessment
› Patient History
• Obtain a complete obstetrical history, including number of pregnancies and gynecological and obstetric surgeries
• Ask about recent trauma to the abdomen
› Physical Findings of Particular Interest
• Change in the shape of the uterus, tenderness, and the ability to palpate fetal parts suggest uterine rupture but are not
diagnostic
• Signs and symptoms of imminent uterine rupture (e.g., no dilatation, tetanic [i.e., twitching] uterine contractions, maternal
anxiety, maternal pain, change in fetal heart rate, increased uterine tonus) may be present
› Laboratory Tests That May Be Ordered
• Immediate blood typing and crossmatching is usual
› Other Diagnostic Tests/Studies
• Electronic fetal monitoring may detect abnormal heart rate
Treatment Goals
› Intensively Monitor and Maintain Optimum Physiologic Status
• Monitor vital signs, assess all maternal and fetal (as appropriate) physiologic systems (especially hemodynamic and
respiratory status), and review laboratory test results (e.g., monitor for inadequate oxygen saturation and anemia);
immediately report abnormalities and treat, as ordered
–Monitor for and identify signs and symptoms of imminent uterine rupture (e.g., no dilatation, tetanic uterine contractions,
anxiety, pain, change in fetal heart rate, increased uterine tonus)
• Assess for pain; administer analgesia, as ordered
• Maintain optimum physiologic status if uterine rupture occurs, e.g.,
–administer prescribed medications; monitor for shock
–maintain patient safety (e.g., airway, circulation, and prevention of injury)
–administer blood transfusion, as ordered
–monitor intake and output; replace fluids, as appropriate
• Follow facility pre- and postsurgical protocols if patient becomes a surgical candidate (e.g., for hysterectomy or other
surgical resolution to uterine rupture)
–Reinforce pre- and postsurgical education about treatment risks and benefits; ensure completion of informed consent
documentation
–Monitor postsurgical site for infection and change dressings, as ordered; give prophylactic antibiotics or treat existing
infection with antibiotics, as ordered
› Provide Emotional/Psychological Support and Educate
• Assess pregnant patient’s anxiety level and coping ability; educate and encourage discussion of uterine rupture risk factors,
treatment risks and benefits, follow-up medical surveillance, and individualized prognosis
• Request clinician referral, if appropriate, to a mental health clinician for counseling on coping with a life-threatening
condition or fetal complications/demise
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