Tehran University Medical Journal

Cesarean section (CS) is a relatively safe procedure, performed for different maiernal and fetal indications. Despite complications of general anesthesia, post-operative infections, and thromboembolic events, CS is being performed with increasing frequency. In this study, we have examined the indications and complications of CS's performed in Arash Hospital from December 1993 to November 1994. Of the total 3480 cases of chiidbrilh, 900 (24.45%) were performed by CS, most and last frequently in December/January and November/December respectively. However, Ute ratio of CS cases to all cases was equal throughout the year. The most common indication of CS was failure to progress in labor (38.54%), and the other causes were repeat CS (21.77%), meconium excretion (11.97%), malpresenlation (8.55%) and fetal distress (5.58%). The indication of CS varies with meternal age. Between 41-45 years, the most common indications were prior CS (42.5%), and request for concommitant tubal ligation (12.5%), whereas in the younger age groups, the most common indication was failure to progress in labor. In primiparous cases, 44.55% of the CS's were performed due to failure to progress in labor, while the latter was the indication of CS in only 14.5% of the multiparous women. Complications were observed in only 4.54% of CS cases