Publication:

Emergency obstetric hysterectomy: review at a tertiary care hospital

Background The objective of the study was to study indications and maternal outcome of emergency obstetric hysterectomy.

Methods A retrospective study of the cases of emergency obstetric hysterectomy performed over a period of 7.5years from 2008 to May 2016 in a tertiary care hospital was done. Maternal characteristics, indications, and maternal morbidity and mortality were analyzed.

Results During the study period there were 45 emergency obstetric hysterectomies and 28,207 deliveries, giving an incidence of 0.16% or 1.6/1000. Majority of the cases were unbooked (55.6%). It was more common in multipara (71.1%). Ruptured uterus (37.7%) and morbidly adherent placenta (26.6%) were the common indications. the maternal mortality was 2.22%.

Conclusions Emergency obstetric hysterectomy is a lifesaving procedure. The maternal outcome greatly depends on timely decision and good clinical judgment because unnecessary delay can cost life and undue haste can cause morbidity.