To investigate whether skin scar characteristics are associated with the presence and severity of abdominal or pelvic adhesions in women who have undergone previous cesarean section.

In this prospective study, 104 women who had undergone at least one previous cesarean section and were scheduled for laparoscopic surgery due to benign gynaecologic indications were included. Preoperative skin scar characteristics as well as intraoperative adhesions were evaluated using the modified Manchester Scar Scale and the Peritoneal Adhesion Index, respectively.

During laparoscopic surgery, adhesions were detected in the upper region of the abdominal cavity in 30 women, in the middle region in 46 women and in the lower region in 82 women. Total abdominal scar scores were significantly increased in women with adhesions in all three adbominal regions. Multiple cesarean section scars and palpable scars were more common in women with adhesions. Significant positive correlations were found between the skin scar and adhesion scores in all abdominal regions.

The skin scar characteristics of the previous caesarean section are associated with the presence and severity of pelvic and abdominal adhesions. Skin scarring especially with palpable texture may be an indicator of adhesion formation in the entire abdominopelvic cavity.