[Can surgeons be in charge of an obstetric department?].

At Rana sykehus there are neither obstetricians nor pediatricians. The obstetric ward is run by the surgeons. Pregnant women suspected of being at increased risks are transferred to Nordland Sentralsykehus before the expected delivery. The following data were obtained by analyzing 1,009 deliveries. 19.2% of all the deliveries needed emergency assistance by a doctor. Emergency cesarean section was performed in 6.2% of the cases, and vacuum extraction was needed in 3.2%. Elective cesarean section was done in 4.9% of all births. Emergency and elective cesarean section together made up 11.1% of the 1009 deliveries. The cesarean section rates were lower than the average number in Nordland and in the country as a whole. The perinatal death rate was lower than the average rate for the rest of the country (0.49% versus 0.8%). Infants with potential dangerous conditions were transferred for pediatric care at Nordland Sentralsykehus (3.96%). Our conclusion is that general surgeons can be responsible for an obstetric ward, when it is done voluntary, and it is approved by a responsible obstetrician. In our area there is a need for an obstetric ward, and the surgeons here have built a certain expertise in obstetrics. In difficult cases, however, the surgeons always consult the obstetricians and pediatricians at Nordland Sentralsykehus for evaluation of the patients.