A retrospective study of matched symphysiotomies and caesarian sections at Port Moresby General Hospital.
The caesarian section rate at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) is 26.7/1000 and the symphysiotomy rate 2.5/1000 deliveries respectively. 40% of the caesarian sections are for cephalopelvic disproportion and in 50% of these cases the diagnosis is made late in labour; it is this group that is compared with the symphysiotomy group. The morbidities of each group are similar, 64% and 62% respectively. The maternal mortality rate in the caesarian section group was 11.6/1000 and the perinatal mortality 160/1000. There were no maternal deaths in the symphysiotomy group and the perinatal mortality rate was 82/1000. It is recommended that symphysiotomy should be more widely accepted as a safe alternative to caesarian section from both the maternal and foetal point of view.
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013567:Symphysiotomy / Q000401:mortality