[Cesarean section: descriptive epidemiology. Increase in frequency of indications for cesarean section]

The use of caesarean section is constantly increasing in all countries of the western world. This article considers various aspects of the phenomenon, from the most frequent justifications for the increase in caesarean sections, to the consequences of this practise on the health of the mother and of the fetus/newborn infant. The often-suggested link between the increase in the number of caesarean births and the decrease of the perinatal mortality rate is also discussed. The caesarean section is potentially capable of offering large benefits, but at the same time is not without risk for the mother and the child. In order to reduce this risk meticulous attention must be paid to the anesthesiological and surgical techniques employed and surgery must be used only when absolutely necessary.