Editing Caesarean section (section)

====Adhesions====
[[File:Suturing uterus.JPG|thumb|Suturing of the uterus after extraction]]
[[Image:C-sec suture.jpg|thumb|right|Closed incision for ''low transverse abdominal incision'' after stapling has been completed]]
Several steps can be taken during abdominal or pelvic surgery to minimize postoperative complications, such as developing [[adhesions]]. Such techniques and principles may include:
* Handling all tissue with absolute care
* Using powder-free surgical gloves
* Controlling bleeding
* Choosing sutures and implants carefully
* Keeping tissue moist
* Preventing infection with antibiotics given intravenously to the mother before skin incision

Despite these proactive measures, adhesion formation is a recognized abdominal or pelvic surgery complication. To prevent adhesions from forming after caesarean section, [[adhesion barrier]] can be placed during surgery to minimize the risk of adhesions between the uterus and ovaries, the small bowel, and almost any tissue in the abdomen or pelvis. This is not current UK practice, as there is no compelling evidence to support the benefit of this intervention.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

Adhesions can cause long-term problems, such as:
* [[Female Infertility|Infertility]], which may end when adhesions distort the tissues of the ovaries and tubes, impeding the normal passage of the egg (ovum) from the ovary to the uterus.  One in five infertility cases may be adhesion-related (stoval)
* Chronic pelvic pain, which may result when adhesions are present in the pelvis. Almost 50% of chronic pelvic pain cases are estimated to be adhesion-related (stoval)
* Small bowel obstruction: the disruption of normal bowel flow, which can result when adhesions twist or pull the small bowel.

The risk of adhesion formation is one reason why vaginal delivery is usually considered safer than elective caesarean section where there is no medical indication for section for either maternal or fetal reasons.