Abdominal hysterectomies at area hospital, Point Fortin, Trinidad, West Indies

A retrospective analysis of abdominal hysterectomies (3.08% of major operations) at the Area Hospital (52 beds), over a 5-year period revealed that the majority of the patients were multiparous in the reproductive age group. Menstrual irregularity is the most frequent indication, however, hysterectomy in these cases is not justified. High febrile morbidity (38%), blood transfusions and prolonged hospitalization were observed. Peer review, prophylactic antibiotics and survey of the Island hospitals are recommended to make hysterectomy appropriate, safe and to explain any racial variation.