title: Emergency peripartum hysterectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emergency hysterectomy in obstetric practice is generally performed in the setting of life-threatening situations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review cases of peripartum hysterectomy in respect of indications, risk factors and complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy one cases of Caesarean and post-partum hysterectomy performed between January 1993 and June 1998.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of peripartum hysterectomy was 1:836 deliveries. Fifty eight per cent of the hysterectomies followed Caesarean section. The main indications for hysterectomy were ruptured uteri, uncontrollable haemorrhage from atonic uteri, sepsis and morbidly adherent placenta. Perinatal mortality was high and there were four maternal deaths.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peripartum hysterectomy is a necessary life-saving operation. Prevention of complications that give rise to emergency hysterectomy should decrease maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: MRC/UN Pregnancy Hypertension Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Natal Medical School, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sebitloane
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moodley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery