A study of caesarean section cases with special reference to maternal and neonatal outcome

Two hundred cases of lower uterine segment caesarean section were studied in SSKM Hospital and IPGME&R, Calcutta (a referral hospital) during the period 1986-1987. All were unselected cases of which 192 were booked and 8 were unbooked. The maximum number of caesarean sections were done in the age group of 21-30 years ie, in 154 cases (77.00%). Of total number of cases 53.5% were primigravida, and rest were multipara. Postoperative complications were noted in 42 cases (21%). Complications were more in unbooked and emergency cases ie, 7 (87.5%) and also in cases of antepartum haemorrhage (3 out of 8 cases) and where foetal distress (12 out of 51 cases) ie, prolonged labour, difficult labour was present. Neonatal mortality and morbidity (8 and 26 out of 154 total births respectively) were high in the age group of 21-30 years. Neonatal complications following caesarean section were found in 21.8% patients in emergency caesarean section and 15.5% in elective caesarean section. Neonatal morbidity was 15% and perinatal mortality was 4% in this study. Asphyxia (11 cases) and respiratory distress syndrome (10 cases) were more dangerous complications in caesarean section. There was no maternal mortality in this series.