Caesarean morbidity and mortality in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto, North-West Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Caesarean section is the most common major surgical procedure performed in obstetrics. There is a need to frequently assess the safety of this operation.
Objective: To determine the rate and complications of caesarean sections.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of the caesarean sections performed at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto from January 2007 to December 2010.
Results: During the study period, there were 7986 deliveries and 819 caesarean sections, giving a caesarean section rate of 10.3%. Six hundred and eleven cases were available for analysis. The major indication was previous caesarean section (19.7%), cephalo-pelvic disproportion (15.4%), pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (14.7%). One hundred and thirty-five patients (20.4%) had post-operative complications, sepsis (36.3%) being the most common complication. All were cases of emergency caesarean section in unbooked patients. There were 19 maternal deaths (287.4/100,000), and the major cause of death was sepsis (57.9%).
Conclusion: There is a high level of morbidity and mortality following caesarean section mainly due to sepsis.