Perimortem Caesarean Section in a Reference Hospital in Southern Nigerian: Case Series

Abstract

Perimortem caesarean section (PMCS), also called resuscitative hysterotomy is not a common procedure as maternal cardiac arrest is rare, yet it could be a life-saving emergency surgery for both mother and fetus when optimally carried out. Case series: We report 2 cases of perimortem caesarean sections carried out in the emergency unit of the Nigerian Navy Reference Calabar, Nigeria following maternal cardiac arrest. The Primary pathology in both cases was complications of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in unbooked patients. There was both maternal and neonatal mortality in the first case. The second case had a better outcome of a live baby (with a good APGAR score) who was later discharged to the relatives, whereas the mother had a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) sustained for 3 days in the Intensive Care Unit before she was confirmed dead. The aim of this report is to stimulate thought and increased preparedness for this rare and challenging, yet life-saving procedure.