[The course of labor following cesarean section with special reference to peridural anesthesia]

In a retrospective study the mode of delivery by 565 pregnant women who had previously undergone Caesarean section, was explored on the basis of their medical records. Particular attention was paid to the problem of PDA. Primary Caesarean section was performed in about 25% of the cases and secondary Caesarean section 22%. 57% of the women who had previously delivered via Caesarean section, now delivered vaginally. 71,4% of these patients had peridural anaesthesia during labour. In 17 cases laparotomy following vaginal delivery was necessary because of suspected rupture of the uterus due to rupture of the uterine scar. In 10 cases this diagnosis was confirmed. The authors come to the conclusion that previous Caesarean section is no indication for a repeat Caesarean section. Under exactly controlled conditions the authors were able to clarify that PDA can be safely applied in patients with previous Caesarean section.