Indications and Frequencies of Elective and Emergency Cesarean Section in Social Security Landhi Hospital Karachi, Pakistan

The cesarean section rate is high in Pakistan as compared with WHO recommendations. It is quite high in the public sector hospitals due to high-risk pregnancies repeat cesarean sections and referrals from private sector hospitals. Objectives: To determine the proportions of indications of elective and emergency cesarean sections. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Social Security Landhi Hospital, Karachi, from January 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2023. A total of 1150 patients were enrolled with a convenient sampling technique. Performa was filled by patients who delivered by cesarean section and through vaginal delivery. Patients who attended the Obstetrics patient’s department were marked as booked cases and those who were admitted for early labor and later cesarean-section was performed, were marked as un-booked. Cesarean sections through emergency were also included. Patients of ruptured uterus were excluded from this study. Data were entered in SPSS software version 24.0 and analyzed for frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 770 cesarean sections were done. Overall frequency of cesarean-sections was 66.95%. Frequency of elective and emergency cesarean-section was 485 (62.98%) and 285 (37.01%). Booked cases were 658 (85.45%) while un-booked were 112 (14.54%). The commonest indication was repeat cesarean-section in 150 (19.48%), cervical dystocia in 105 (13.63%), fetal distress in 103 (13.37%), and antepartum hemorrhage were 94 (12.20%) patients. Conclusions: It was concluded that the Cesarean-sections rate was very high as compared to normal vaginal deliveries. The most common indication of cesarean section was repeat cesarean section.