Evaluating the thirty minute interval in emergency cesarean sections.
BACKGROUND
This study was done to evaluate what percent of emergency cesarean sections are begun within the 30 minute interval between decision and incision time and to evaluate morbidity associated with this time interval.


METHODS
A retrospective patient-control study of records from 75 patients undergoing emergency cesarean sections and two different control groups was undertaken.


RESULTS
Sixty-three percent of emergency cesarean sections were begun in less than 30 minutes. A significantly greater number of infants in the group that delivered in less than 30 minutes experienced five minute Apgar scores less than six. There was no significant differences in maternal morbidity associated with emergency cesarean sections.


CONCLUSIONS
The 30 minute interval is obtainable in a large number of patients but did not have a beneficial effect on neonatal morbidity. There was no significant morbidity seen in the patients who underwent emergency cesarean section. Other measurements of emergency preparedness should be considered other than the 30 minute rule.
Schauberger
C W
CW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gundersen Clinic, Limited, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Rooney
B L
BL
Beguin
E A
EA
Schaper
A M
AM
Spindler
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D001034:Apgar Score; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003657:Decision Making; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004630:Emergencies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D009873:Operating Rooms; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D013726:Terbutaline