Fræðigrein
Material and methods: All deliveries by cesarean section from July 1st 2001 to December 31st 2002 were examined in a retrospective manner. Information was collected from maternity records regarding the operation and its complications if they occured, during or following the operation.
Results: During this period 761 women delivered by cesarean section at LSH. The overall complication rate was 35,5%. The most common complications were; blood loss ≥1000 ml (16.5%), post operative fever (12.2%), extension from the uterine incision (7.2%) and need for blood transfusion (4.3%). Blood transfusion was most common in women undergoing cesarean section after attempted instrumental vaginal delivery (20%). Fever and extension from the uterine incision were most common in women undergoing cesarean section after full cervical dilation without attempt of instrumental delivery (19,4%). These complications were least likely to occur if the patient underwent an elective secarean section.
Conclusion: Complications following cesarean section are common, especially if labor is advanced. Each indication for an operative delivery should be carefully weighed and the patient informed accordingly.
| Table I. Study population |
| |
Median (limits) |
Lower quartile |
Upper quartile |
| Age |
30 (16-49) years |
26 |
34 |
| Body Mass Index |
25,3 (16,9-50,1) kg/m2 |
28 |
41 |
| Gestational age at birth |
39,3 (24,8-42,2) weeks |
38,3 |
40,6 |
| Table II. Results of the population |
| |
Median (limits) |
Lower quartile |
Upper quartile |
| Surgery time |
34 (7-90) minutes |
28 |
41 |
| Hospital stay |
4 (1-31) days |
4 |
5 |
| Hemoglobin drop |
14 (-7-59) g/l |
8 |
22 |
