Complications associated with caesarean delivery in a setting with high HIV prevalence rates.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the prevalence of complications associated with abdominal delivery in a setting of high caesarean section (C/S) and HIV rates.


METHODS
A detailed review of the records of 737 C/S performed over a three-month period was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital in Durban, South Africa.


RESULTS
The overall complication rate was 14.2%. Major complications included endometritis, wound sepsis, post-partum haemorrhage and bladder injury. HIV infection may have a negative impact on morbidity rates. Disimpacting the fetal head vaginally had a significant association with endometritis (p=0.021). The use of a corrugated drain did not prevent wound sepsis (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Complications associated with C/S are common is a setting of high C/S rates and HIV infection.
Moodliar
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Moodley
J
J
Esterhuizen
T M
TM
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004716:Endometritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000293:injuries