[Fetal injuries during cesarean: frequency, risk factors and prevention]

During the cesarean section, the immediate proximity of the scalpel blade to the fetus exposes this latter to possible injuries. This article aims at reflecting on the measures to be developed in the prevention of fetal injuries during the cesarean section after a bibliographical analysis of the available data. Occurring in about 1% of the cesarean cases, the fetal injuries are most often minimal and localized at the scalp or the face, rarely requiring a surgical repair. Sometimes, they can have a functional, aesthetic, psychological and forensic impact. The associated risk factors substantially are the emergency cesarean, the "cutaneous incision/delivery" delay and a T- or J-shaped uterine incision. In this article we expose simple means enabling an incision of the uterine cavity, thus minimizing the fetal risk.