Safe motherhood: cesarean section or symphysiotomy?

J van Roosmalen1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden State University Hospital, The Netherlands.

The place of symphysiotomy in the management of cephalopelvic disproportion is discussed on the basis of the existing literature, reviewing maternal mortality and morbidity after symphysiotomy and the vaginal delivery rate in a subsequent pregnancy after a previous symphysiotomy. These are compared with the outcome of cesarean section performed in similar circumstances.