[Retrospective study of cesarean section in the years 1974-87]

747 Caesarean sections carried out during the years 1974-97 inclusive have been examined on the basis of retrospective data. From the study it emerged that Caesarean section gradually increased in frequency from 6% in 1974 to 29% in 1986-87, that it is more frequently performed in primigravidas, that repeated Caesarean sections are increasing constantly and that its indications, whether maternal or foetal or mixed, are expanding. It also turned out that the practice of blood transfusion concomitant with C.S. has been failing continuously for 5 years. As for maternal and perinatal morbidity-mortality, it was evident that only neonatal morbidity is lower in C.S. compared to vaginal delivery, and only maternal mortality due to operated vaginal delivery is higher than C.S.-induced maternal mortality: for the rest, statistics all speak in favour of vaginal delivery. In spite of this, many Authors write in favour of the percentage increase in C.S. and the reasons are given.