Clinical analysis of emergency peripartum hysterectomies in a tertiary center

To investigate the incidence, indications, complications, and risk factors associated with increased mortality and morbidity of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH).

The authors retrospectively analyzed 48 cases of EPH performed within six-year interval at Ondokuz Mayis University Hospital. EPH was defined as the operation performed for life-threatening hemorrhage which could not be controlled with conservative treatment modalities within 24 hours of a delivery.

The incidence of EPH was 5.03 per 1,000 deliveries. The most common indication for EPH was abnormal placental adherence (n = 22, 45.8%), followed by uter- ine atony (n = 19, 39.6%). All the patients with placenta accreta had a history of repeat cesarian section (CS) and placenta previa.Total hysterectomy was performed in almost all of the patients (n = 47, 97.9%). All women required blood transfusions. Maternal morbidity was significant, with bladder injury (31.3%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (18.7%) among the most common complications. There were one maternal (2.1%) and five neonatal deaths (10.4%).

Since most of the EPH cases are associated with prior cesarean delivery, decision of the first CS should be made for true obstetrical indications.If conservative treatments fail to control massive obstetrical bleeding, blood products and an experienced obstetrician should be ready to perform EPH to decrease the maternal mor- bidity and mortality.