Preferences in cesarean delivery surgical technique: a survey of maternal-fetal medicine fellows.

Objective: Our goal was to (1) describe self-reported cesarean delivery (CD) surgical techniques of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellows and (2) determine whether preferences were congruent with recommendations using US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria.

Methods: MFM fellows were queried regarding their preferred CD technique via online survey. Preferences were compared to evidence-based recommendations using standard recommendation language and quality of evidence as outlined by the USPSTF. Categorical variables were compared by Chi-square analysis or Fisher's exact test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Of 233 active MFM fellows in August 2012, 167 completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 71%. Statistically significant differences of preferences were noted when stratified by year in fellowship (blunt tip needles), gender (thromboprophylaxis, skin incision, fascial extension, uterine closure suture) and geographic region of fellowship (fascial extension, skin closure). CD techniques preferred by MFM fellows were congruent with recommendations designated as high or moderate level of certainty with regard to prophylactic antibiotics, uterine incision extension, uterine atony prevention and placenta removal, while incongruent with regards to pre-operative vaginal preparation and blunt needle preference.

Conclusion: Among MFM fellow respondents, variation exists in preferred CD technique and vis-à-vis evidence-based recommendations.