Rate, categorisation of emergency cesaerean sections and their outcome at Al- Zahraa University Hospital

Abstract

Background Cesarean section (CS) is ‘the delivery of a fetus through an abdominal incision (laparotomy) followed by incision of the uterine wall (hysterotomy).’ Objectives To study the rate and categorization of emergency cesarean section (ECS) cases and their outcome at Al-Zahraa University Hospital. Patients and methods This is a prospective study that was conducted at Al-Zahraa University Hospital. It included 404 ECS cases, and they were categorized into three categories of ECS as follows: category I included 101 cases with immediate threat of life of women or of fetus, category II included 64 cases with maternal or fetal compromise but not immediately life-threatening, and category III included 239 cases needing early delivery but no maternal or fetal comprise. Results The present study shows that there is a high significant difference among the three categories of ECS studied cases regarding age (years) (P=0.000), parity (P=0.000), gestational age (weeks) (P=0.007), and number of previous CS (P=0.000), whereas there is a significant difference regarding preterm labor (P=0.026) and one or twins (P=0.029). Conclusion The rate of ECS at Al-Zahraa University Hospital was high during the period of the study (6 months). The most common indication of ECS during this period was uterine contractions in a case with absolute cause of CS. Fetal and maternal outcomes were very good.