Beyond the cut: a cross-sectional analysis of the long-term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scars
Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and functional implications of cesarean section (CS) skin scars on women's lives, emphasizing the relationship between scar characteristics and quality of life. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, women older than 18 years old w...
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Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-72032025000100238&lng=en&tlng=en |
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| author | Laila Lídia Faria Almeida Gabriel Lage Neves Matheus Eduardo Soares Pinhati Rivia Mara Lamaita Eduardo Batista Cândido Agnaldo Lopes da Silva Filho |
| author_facet | Laila Lídia Faria Almeida Gabriel Lage Neves Matheus Eduardo Soares Pinhati Rivia Mara Lamaita Eduardo Batista Cândido Agnaldo Lopes da Silva Filho |
| author_sort | Laila Lídia Faria Almeida |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and functional implications of cesarean section (CS) skin scars on women's lives, emphasizing the relationship between scar characteristics and quality of life. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, women older than 18 years old who had undergone CS with a Pfannenstiel incision within the past 6-36 months were evaluated. The Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) were used to assess clinical scar parameters. Functionality was appraised using eight questions derived from the International Classification of Functionality, Disability, and Health (ICF). The association between scar appearance scores and functionality questions was analyzed statistically. Results: Ninety-six women were assessed, revealing that appearance and satisfaction with appearance had the worst scores on the PSAQ. Scar irregularity was the most frequently reported scar characteristic on the POSAS. On the ICF-derived questionnaire, the "self-care" domain was the most affected, with women reporting problems on activities such as choosing swimwear and lingeries. There was a significant correlation (p < 0,05) between the women dissatisfaction with the scar appearance and impairment in ‘interpersonal interactions and relationships’ and ‘self-care’, as the "domestic life" domain wasn't affected. Conclusions: Cesarean section skin scars can lead to dissatisfaction and functional impairments, affecting women's quality of life. These findings underscore the necessity for multidisciplinary care and thorough discussions about delivery methods to improve post-surgical outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b9ebe4ac21d441aba6162e0230a79a0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0100-7203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b9ebe4ac21d441aba6162e0230a79a02025-08-20T04:00:39ZengFederação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e ObstetríciaRevista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia0100-72032025-08-014710.61622/rbgo/2025rbgo55Beyond the cut: a cross-sectional analysis of the long-term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scarsLaila Lídia Faria Almeidahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1968-1312Gabriel Lage Neveshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7060-1053Matheus Eduardo Soares Pinhatihttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4718-8840Rivia Mara Lamaitahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9389-3316Eduardo Batista Cândidohttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6496-6654Agnaldo Lopes da Silva Filhohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8486-7861Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and functional implications of cesarean section (CS) skin scars on women's lives, emphasizing the relationship between scar characteristics and quality of life. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, women older than 18 years old who had undergone CS with a Pfannenstiel incision within the past 6-36 months were evaluated. The Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) were used to assess clinical scar parameters. Functionality was appraised using eight questions derived from the International Classification of Functionality, Disability, and Health (ICF). The association between scar appearance scores and functionality questions was analyzed statistically. Results: Ninety-six women were assessed, revealing that appearance and satisfaction with appearance had the worst scores on the PSAQ. Scar irregularity was the most frequently reported scar characteristic on the POSAS. On the ICF-derived questionnaire, the "self-care" domain was the most affected, with women reporting problems on activities such as choosing swimwear and lingeries. There was a significant correlation (p < 0,05) between the women dissatisfaction with the scar appearance and impairment in ‘interpersonal interactions and relationships’ and ‘self-care’, as the "domestic life" domain wasn't affected. Conclusions: Cesarean section skin scars can lead to dissatisfaction and functional impairments, affecting women's quality of life. These findings underscore the necessity for multidisciplinary care and thorough discussions about delivery methods to improve post-surgical outcomes.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-72032025000100238&lng=en&tlng=enCesarean sectionPostpartum periodScarsCicatrixQuality of lifeMultidisciplinary care teamSelf carePersonal satisfactionTreatment outcomeSurveys and questionnaires |
| spellingShingle | Laila Lídia Faria Almeida Gabriel Lage Neves Matheus Eduardo Soares Pinhati Rivia Mara Lamaita Eduardo Batista Cândido Agnaldo Lopes da Silva Filho Beyond the cut: a cross-sectional analysis of the long-term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scars Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia Cesarean section Postpartum period Scars Cicatrix Quality of life Multidisciplinary care team Self care Personal satisfaction Treatment outcome Surveys and questionnaires |
| title | Beyond the cut: a cross-sectional analysis of the long-term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scars |
| title_full | Beyond the cut: a cross-sectional analysis of the long-term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scars |
| title_fullStr | Beyond the cut: a cross-sectional analysis of the long-term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scars |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond the cut: a cross-sectional analysis of the long-term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scars |
| title_short | Beyond the cut: a cross-sectional analysis of the long-term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scars |
| title_sort | beyond the cut a cross sectional analysis of the long term clinical and functional impact of cesarean section scars |
| topic | Cesarean section Postpartum period Scars Cicatrix Quality of life Multidisciplinary care team Self care Personal satisfaction Treatment outcome Surveys and questionnaires |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-72032025000100238&lng=en&tlng=en |
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