title: Total abdominal hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions at a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hysterectomy is one of the most commonly performed major gynaecological procedures in women. Total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) for benign disorders is commonly performed in Jos University Teaching Hospital and this study aimed at ascertaining its frequency in relation to other major gynaecological operations, demographic features of the patients, indications and safety of the procedure in this institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective descriptive study of consecutive patients who had elective total abdominal hysterectomy performed for various benign indications during the study period from January 2001 to December 2008 was conducted. Data extracted from the case files included age, parity, presenting symptoms, indications for the surgery, intraoperative findings and post-operative complications. Data was analysed with 2008 EPI-info version 3.5.1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total abdominal hysterectomy accounted for 18.2% of all major gynaecological operations. Majority of the women were in their fifth decade of life (65.9%) and parity of five and above (46.4%). The most common indications were uterine fibroid with or without menorrhagia (60.6%) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (27.0%). Post-operative morbidity was recorded in 40 (17.7%) of cases. Post-operative wound infection (52.5%) and fever (30.0%) accounted for the majority of the complications. There was no mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Total abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions is relatively common and safe in this centre. The review of the antibiotic regimes for chemoprophylaxis may help in reducing the post-operative infection rate associated with the operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaccology, College of Health Sciences, Bingham University, Jos campus, Jos, Nigeria. steveanzaku@gmail.com
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Anzaku
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Musa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000601:surgery; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000601:surgery*