From 1938 through 1967, 866 cesarean hysterectomies were performed by a group of supervised resident physicians. During early years, some of the operations were of the subtotal type, but none has been performed since 1951. Of the 866 operations, 177 were of emergency nature because of uncontrollable hemorrhage. More than 60% of the 689 elective cesarean hysterectomies were performed because of a defective uterine scar; sterilization was the acknowledged or implied reason in only 88 patients. There were 9 maternal deaths, 2 following elective and 7 after emergency cesarean hysterectomy; only 2 of the 9 occurred after 1952. No complications eventuated in 90% of the elective operations and in nearly 50% of the emergency operations. Urinary tract infection was the most common postoperative complication, occurring in 23%. The author's data indicate that cesarean hysterectomy is safe and useful.