User:Mr. Ibrahem/Resuscitative hysterotomy

A resuscitative hysterotomy, also referred to as a perimortem Caesarean section (PMCS), is a hysterotomy performed to resuscitate a pregnant women in cardiac arrest. To be indicated the size of the uterus should be above the belly button. The procedure removes the baby and thereby removes compression of the aorta and inferior vena cava. This improves the mother's chances of survival, and may potentially also deliver a live baby.

The procedure should be started within 4 minutes of a women's heart stopping. A vertical cut is made from the top of the uterus to the level of the pubic bone. Retractors are used to hold the area open and the bladder is pushed down. A small vertical cut is than made through the lower part of the uterus and blunt tipped scissors are used to extend it up. The baby is than removed, has its airway suctions, and the cord clamped.

The chance of the baby surviving is as high as 70%. The procedure is rarely done as cardiac arrest only occurs in about 1 in 30,000 pregnancies. It may be performed by an obstetrician, emergency physician, or surgeon. While the procedure has been described for 1,000s of years, documented cases of babies surviving began to occur in the late 1800s and mother surviving in the late 1900s.