Seeking the Truth About Primary Elective Cesarean Delivery and Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance A better understanding of the effect of elective cesarean delivery (CD) on the development of pelvic floor disorders can help obstetricians counsel pregnant women. Objective This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating whether primary elective CD is protective against pelvic floor disorders. Study Design Using the MOOSE criteria, electronic databases were searched for studies that compared the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders among primiparous women. Outcomes of interest were urinary incontinence (UI), fecal incontinence (FI), anal incontinence (AI), and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Comparisons were made between CD before the onset of labor (Elective CD), CD after trial of labor (Labor CD), and vaginal delivery (VD). Risk ratios (RRs) were computed using STATA. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed via Cochrane's homogeneity test and review of the I-2 statistic. Results Nineteen studies were included. The overall prevalence of UI for Elective CD was estimated at 7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3%-13%), Labor CD at 14% (95% CI, 8%-21%), and VD at 26% (95% CI, 20%-32%). Meta-analysis demonstrated a decreased risk of UI after Elective CD compared with Labor CD (RR, 0.75; P = 0.011) or VD (RR, 0.43; P < 0.001). There was a decreased risk of FI or AI after Elective CD compared with VD, but not when compared with Labor CD. Only 2 studies examined POP, precluding meta-analysis. Conclusions Among primiparous women, Elective CD may be protective against UI when compared with Labor CD. There was not a protective effect of Elective CD against FI and AI when compared with Labor CD. More data on the effect of elective CD on POP are needed.

Automated summary

A better understanding of the effect of elective cesarean delivery (CD) on pelvic floor disorders is important for obstetricians to counsel pregnant women. This systematic review and meta-analysis found that among primiparous women, elective CD may decrease the risk of urinary incontinence compared to CD after trial of labor or vaginal delivery. However, there was no protective effect against fecal incontinence, anal incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse. More data on elective CD's effect on pelvic organ prolapse are needed.