Objective:
To explain the pathophysiology, indications, techniques and medicolegal implications of perimortem caesarean section delivery (PMCSD) and introduce
criteria based standards for this operation to improve results.
Methods and Search Design:
We conducted an Ovid MEDLINE search for the years 1950-2014 with the following key words: maternal mortality, cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
maternal collapse, peri-mortem caesarean section, and cardiac arrest. Citations from bibliographies of identified publications were used as a secondary
reference list.
Conclusion:
A timely performed PMCSD can save the life of a mother and her baby. Awareness of the physiological changes of pregnancy, new advances in
resuscitation methods, and proper preparation for a timely surgery, the correct surgical technique, and understanding the medico legal implications are
key issues to achieve the goal of maternal and fetal survival. Creation of international and national guidelines and establishment of international and
national data base registry with standard improved documentation for these rare events should be considered in order to improve outcomes and provide
a more accurate statistically relevant data and results.
Author(s): Adel A Elkady, Louis Keith, and Prabha Sinha