MATERNAL DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH CESAREAN-SECTION

Twelve Caesarean section-associated maternal deaths were encountered o ver a 15-year period. The major operative risk factors were pregnancy- induced hypertension, obesity and general anaesthesia. Severe preeclam psia was the forerunner to postoperative cardiac failure, consumptive coagulopathy and difficult airway manipulation. We conclude that pregn ancy-induced hypertension and its ramifications pose the greatest thre at to maternal survival from a Caesarean section.