Lower segment Caesarean section
A lower (uterine) segment caesarean section (LSCS), also known as the lower-segment transverse cesarean section, is the most commonly used type of caesarean section, involving a horizontal incision. This procedure is used in order to safely deliver a baby when a vaginal birth is deemed unsafe, involving a horizontal incision at the pubic hair line.
| Lower segment Caesarean section | |
|---|---|
| First description of Pfannenstiel's incision. | |
| A Pfannenstiel incision for a caesarian section closed with surgical staples. The superior aspect of mons pubis and pubic hair are seen at bottom of the image. |
Most commonly, a baby is delivered by making a transverse incision in the lower uterine segment, above the attachment of the urinary bladder to the uterus. This type of incision results in less blood loss and is easier to repair after surgery compared to other types of caesarean sections. This type of incision was developed by the German gynecologist Hermann Johannes Pfannenstiel, who was critical in the development of modern day lower segment cesarean sections, due to his development of this technique, which he gained credit for. There are several methods of operation used in order to maximize the safety of the procedure, which are disussed in detail below.