title: Emergency obstetric hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the frequency of obstetric hysterectomy, its indications and associated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  The retrospective observational analytical study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Unit-I, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from January 2003 to December 2009. Records of all patients who had underone hysterectomy at the study centre during the study period were explored for age, parity, booking status indication and the type of operation performed. Maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality were also recorded. SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Against the total 44,612 deliveries during the period, 121 hysterectomies were performed for obstetric indications. The frequency of the procedure, as such, was 1 in 368 (0.27%) deliveries. The major indications were ruptured uterus in 57 (47.1%), and severe postpartum haemorrhage due to atony of uterus in 35 (28.9%). Other indications included severe haemorrhage due to placental abnormalities in 14 (11.6%); placenta previa in 3 (2.5%); abruptio placenta in 4 (3.3%); and severe infection following vaginal delivery in 3 (2.5%). Infection was the commonest complication seen in 14 (11.6%) patients. There were 11 (9.0%) maternal deaths and 65 (53.7%) perinatal deaths.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emergency obstetric hysterectomy remains a necessary tool for consultant obstetricians. Acting at the optimal time with clear judgment, and professional surgical technique can reduce morbidity and mortality in such cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. razia_korejo2000@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Razia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Korejo
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.forename: Haleema
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasmin
authors.forename: Shereen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhutta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome