IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 16, Issue 2 Ver. II (February. 2017), PP 90-94 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1602029094 www.iosrjournals.org 90 | Page Obstetric Hysterectomy As A Surgical Intervention in the Management of Obstetric Haemorrhage At the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Ngozi Orazulike 1 , Justina Alegbeleye 2 , Gogo Mba 3 , Samuel Uzoigwe 4 1 Fwacs, Fics, Senior Lecturer, Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty Of Clinical Sciences, University Of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 2 Fwacs, Lecturer, Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty Of Clinical Sciences, University Of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 3 Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 4 Professor, Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty Of Clinical Sciences, University Of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Abstract Objectives: To determine the incidence, indications, maternal and perinatal outcome of obstetric hysterectomy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 80 women who had obstetric hysterectomy at the Obstetric unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, (UPTH) Nigeria, between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011 was conducted. Data was obtained from the theatre records, labour ward register and case notes of patients and entered into a proforma. Epi Info Version 6.04d was used for data analysis. Results: The prevalence of obstetric hysterectomy during the period under review was 5.3/1000 births. The most common indication was uterine rupture (57.1%), followed by haemorrhage due to uterine atony (25.7%). The mean age of the patients was 28.1 ± 1.78 years, and it was commoner in the Para 1-2 group (40%). Majority (94%) of the patients were transfused and the average unit of blood transfused was 5. The crude morbidity rate was 66.3% with anaemia occurring in 40% of the women. There were 26 maternal deaths, giving a maternal mortality ratio of 325/100,000 deliveries. Twenty-four (92.2%) maternal deaths were unbooked while 2 (7.8%) were booked (p < 0.05). Half (50%) of the women died from primary post-partum haemorrhage. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 575/1000 births. Conclusion: Uterine rupture and postpartum haemorrhage due to uterine atony were the most common indications for obstetric hysterectomy. Maternal death was significantly higher among the unbooked. Effective antenatal care and availability of skilled attendants at all deliveries will reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality from obstetric hysterectomy. Keywords: Obstetric Hysterectomy, Maternal outcome, Perinatal outcome, Unbooked, Port Harcourt. I. Introduction Obstetric or peripartum hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the corpus uteri with or without the cervix at the time of a caesarean section, or shortly after a delivery. It is a challenging but life-saving obstetric procedure. The removal of the uterus at caesarean section is referred to as caesarean hysterectomy while the removal after vaginal birth is called postpartum hysterectomy. [1,2] The procedure is usually reserved for situations where conservative measures fail to control haemorrhage. Obstetric hysterectomy remains one of the obstetric catastrophes. It is associated with increased maternal mortality, considerable morbidity, and it brings an abrupt and usually unwelcome end to a woman's reproductive potential. [3] Previously, the most common indication for Emergency obstetric hysterectomy (EOH) was uterine atony and uterine rupture. [4] However, recent reports show that abnormal placental adherence and placenta praevia are the major indications for EOH and is probably due to the increased caesarean delivery rate observed over the past two decades. [5] The high incidence of associated morbidity and mortality is reported from developing countries and factors responsible for this are poverty, poor transportation facilities, erroneous cultural and religious beliefs, high incidence of unbooked pregnancies and poorly supervised deliveries. [6] Although EOH is usually performed to save the life of the mother, it can be associated with maternal mortality and also morbidity due to uncontrollable haemorrhage, delay in intervention, risks from blood transfusions, infection and disseminated intravascular coagulation particularly in the developing countries. [6] The incidence of obstetric hysterectomy varies from 2 to 6 per 1000 births in developing countries compared to 0.2 to 2.7 per 1000 births from developed countries. In Nigeria, the incidence of obstetric hysterectomy ranges from 1.8 to 5.4 per 1000 births. [7-9] In Pakistan, an incidence of 5.6 per 1000 births, India 2.6 per 1000 births and in United States of America (USA), 1.2 to 2.7 per 1000 births. [7,8] A lower incidence