Publication:

Peripartum hysterectomy: a five year review at a tertiary care centre

Background Peripartum hysterectomy is a life-saving procedure resorted to when conservative measures fail to control obstetric haemorrhage. Several predisposing factors, suboptimal care and lack of infrastructure may lead to this emergency procedure. We wanted to find out factors associated with peripartum hysterectomy and the adverse maternal outcomes at our centre.

Methods A retrospective case series analysis of 40 cases of peripartum hysterectomy performed over a period of 5 years from January 2010 to December 2014 at Government Medical College Hospital, Thrissur, Kerala was done.

Results The incidence of peripartum hysterectomy was 0.29%. The most common indication for peripartum hysterectomy was hysterectomy was uterine atony (50%). Thirty-five women (88%) were between 20 and 35 years. Most of the subjects were unbooked. There were two maternal deaths (case fatality rate of 5%) following peripartum hysterectomy during this period. All the subjects required blood transfusion.

Conclusions Prompt performance hysterectomy before the patient’s clinical condition deteriorates is the key to success. The incidence of adherent placenta is increasing, so every effort should be taken to reduce the caesarean section rates globally.