Cesarean section: indications and postoperative morbidity.

Over an 18-month period, the cesarean section rate was 21.6%. THe primary cesarean section rate was 14.9%. The various indications for the primary cesarean section are detailed. Cephalopelvic disproportion and breech presentation accounted for 50% of the primary cesarean sections. The frequencies of various types of morbidity (ie, endometritis, wound infection, and urinary tract infection) are presented and analyzed with respect to several variables. Patients who underwent primary cesarean section were at significantly greater risk of developing postoperative endometritis than were patients undergoing a repeat procedure. Labor, ruptured membranes, and the use of internal fetal-maternal monitoring were not significant risk factors for endometritis in the patients in this study.