High-risk obstetric patients. Maternal morbidity after cesareans.
OBJECTIVE
To assess maternal morbidity associated with cesarean delivery among high-risk obstetric patients in a private practice setting.


METHODS
Maternal outcome parameters were prospectively studied in 1,000 consecutively delivered patients over a one-year period.


RESULTS
Three hundred forty-one patients (34%) delivered by cesarean; 194 of the procedures were performed without labor. The incidence of febrile morbidity and wound infection in patients undergoing cesarean delivery without labor, 0.5%, was no greater than that of patients who delivered vaginally (P = 1.0). There was a higher incidence of transfusion in patients delivered by cesarean without labor, but these patients were more likely to have preoperative anemia (P = .036). Patients undergoing cesarean with labor or ruptured membranes had an increased incidence of both febrile morbidity (P = .023) and wound seroma (P = .008).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal morbidity following cesarean delivery in high-risk obstetric patients in a private practice setting is low.
Watson
W J
WJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Perinatal Medicine, Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA.
George
R J
RJ
Welter
S
S
Day
D
D
D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009017:Morbidity; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011331:Private Practice; D011446:Prospective Studies