Table 2 Summary of findings on the effects of PSUS on ultrasound evaluation outcomes and surgical parameters
Outcomes | Anticipated absolute effects [95% CI] | Relative effect [95% CI] | No of Participants [studies] | Quality of the evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Risk with control | Risk with PSUS | |||||
Postsurgical ultrasound measurements | Uterine scar defects | 400 per 1000 | 180 per 1000 (144 to 232) | RR 0.45 (0.36 to 0.58) | 751 [8 RCT] | ⊕⊕⊕⊖ Moderate |
Length of the uterine incision (in millimeters) | The mean of length of the uterine incision in the control groups was 20.5 | The mean of length of the uterine incision in the intervention group was − 3.84 lower (-4.97 to -2.71) | MD -3.84 (-4.97 to -2.71) | 438 [4 RCT] | low ⨁⨁OO | |
Length of the incision defect (in millimeters) | The mean of length of the incision defect in the control groups was 6.35 | The mean of length of the incision defect in the intervention group was − 1.91 lower (-4.42, 0.60) | MD -1.91 (-4.42 to 0.60) | 432 [4 RCT] | ⊕⊖⊖⊖ Very Low | |
Height of the incision defect (in millimeters) | The mean of height of uterine incision defect in the control groups was 3.04 | The mean of height of the incision defect in the intervention group was − 0.27 lower (-0.59 to 0.05) | MD -0.27 (-0.59 to 0.05) | 438 [4 RCT] | ⊕⊖⊖⊖ Very Low | |
RMT (in millimeters) | The mean of RMT in ultrasound evaluation in the control groups was 6.18 | The mean of postpartum perineal pain in the intervention group was 1.33 higher (0.72 to 1.94) | MD 1.33 (0.72 to 1.94) | 417 [5 RCT] | ⊕⊕⊖⊖ Low | |
Surgical parameters | Duration of the operation (in minutes) | The mean of duration of the operation in the control groups was 32.9 | The mean of operation time in the intervention group was 1.30 higher (-0.24 to 2.83) | MD 1.30 (-0.24 to 2.83) | 491 [5 RCT] | ⊕⊖⊖⊖ Very Low |
Amount of blood loss during the surgery (in milliliters) | The mean of postpartum perineal pain in the control groups was 498.1 | The mean of postpartum perineal pain in the intervention group was 1.12 higher (-28.5 to 30.7) | MD 1.12 (-28.55 to 30.79) | 171 | ⊕⊖⊖⊖ Very Low | |