We carried out a retrospective analysis of 3,231 cases of cesarean section between 1994 and 1997, to assess the maternal mortality and morbidity associated with this intervention. The frequency of cesarean delivery was 12.4%. The indications for cesarean section were of three types: elective indications (627 cases, 19.4%), emergency indications (454 cases, 14.1%), failure of normal labor (2,150 cases, 66.5%). Nine maternal deaths were noted (2.8 per thousand), one of which was directly linked to surgery. The peroperative complications were primarily major hemorrhagia (39 cases, 1.2%), visceral lesions such as bladder rupture (3 cases, 0.1%) and intestinal lesions (3 cases, 0.1%). Postoperative morbidity was predominated by infectious complications, particularly endometritis (5.1%). Thromboembolism was reported in 7 cases (0.2%). Cesarean section is used to preserve the life of both the mother and the child. However, maternal morbidity and mortality rates are higher with cesarean section than with vaginal delivery and therefore its indications must be justified.