VOLUME 32 - NUMBER 11-12 - 2011

Surgical technique to avoid bladder flap formation during cesarean section


  • Malvasi A., Tinelli A., Gustapane S., Mazzone E., Cavallotti C., Stark M., Bettocchi S.
  • Mini-Review, 498-503
  • Full text PDF

  • Cesarean section (CS) is now the most common major surgical procedure performed on women worldwide. A CS can be performed by either suturing or not suturing of the visceral peritoneum. Creation of the bladder flap is an integral step of the standard cesarean section. The bladder flap is made by superficially incising and dissecting the peritoneal lining to separate the urinary bladder from the lower uterine segment. It’s still debated whether the formation of bladder flap is advantageous or not. If the uterine incision is made slightly above the vesicouterine peritoneal fold, the loose connective tissue between the uterus and the urinary bladder allows spontaneous descent of the bladder. Evidence on the role of the bladder flap in cesarean section is very limited. At present, it remains to be established whether there is any advantage in dissecting the bladder from the lower uterine segment during cesarean section.

  • KEY WORDS: Cesarean section - Bladder flap - Laparoscopy - Complications.