• Susana Mikhail Mustafa, Raneen Abu Shqara, Maya Frank Wolf, Oleg Shnaider, Sari Nahir Biderman, Limor Sharabi, and Lior Lowenstein.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
• Isr Med Assoc J. 2023 Oct 1; 25 (10): 673677673-677.

BackgroundThe French AmbUlatory Cesarean Section (FAUCS) technique was introduced to the Galilee Medical Center in September 2021. FAUCS was performed electively for interested women who meet the criteria.ObjectivesTo evaluate the learning curve of senior surgeons performing FAUCS, the procedure short-term outcomes, and complications.MethodsThis retrospective study included 50 consecutive women who underwent FAUCS from September 2021 until March 2022 at our facility. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and demographic data were retrieved from patient electronic charts.ResultsThe mean duration of surgery was 53.26 ± 11.62 minutes. This time decreased as the surgical team's experience increased: from a mean 58.26 ± 12.25 minutes for the first 15 procedures to a mean 51.17 ± 9.73 minutes for subsequent procedures. The mean visual analogue scale score for 24 hours was 1.08 ± 0.84 (on a 10-point scale). The rate of neonatal cord pH < 7.2 was 6%, and there were 11.3% cases of vacuum assisted fetal extraction. In total, 44% of the women were able to mobilize and urinate spontaneously by 4-6 hours. Complications included bladder injury (n=1), endometritis (n=1), and incisional hematoma (n=1). Overall, the maternal satisfaction rate was high; 94% of the women would recommend FAUCS to others.ConclusionsFAUCS is a feasible procedure with a high satisfaction rate. Following the first 15 procedures performed by one surgical team, the operative time decreased considerably. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to compare this procedure to regular cesarean section and evaluate neonatal outcomes.

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