[The history of cesarean section]. / Histoire de l'opération césarienne.

ABSTRACT

The origins of the Cesarian section date back to the Classical era, and possible even earlier. Ancient India, the Hebrews, the Grecks and the Romans were all familiar with post-mortem Cesarian section. The operation marked time during the Middle Ages. The name "Cesarian section" was first used to designate this operation during the Renaissance period, when it was first carried out in live women. However, until the middle of XIX th century, a Cesarian remained a last chance option which was cautioned against by most obstetricians. It was only after the advent of the "surgical golden tripod" that the Cesarian was gradually rehabilitated through the work of Poro, Kherer and Sanger and the German School. In the XIXth century, segmental incision became the norm and fetal indications for a Cesarian emerged.