Background
Emergency Peripartum hysterectomy is a major operation performed when conservative measures fail to stop life-threatening postpartum haemorrhage. It is associated with a high rate of maternal morbidity among survivors. The aim of this work is to evaluate the incidence, indication, and complications of peripartum hysterectomy at King Abdulla University Hospital over a 15-year period.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study of emergency peripartum hysterectomy. The incidence was calculated. Risk factors for abnormal placentation were explored. A comparison between total and subtotal hysterectomy in terms of morbidity outcomes was conducted. The Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact and Independent Sample T-Test were used for analysis. Statistical significance was declared at α < 0.05.
Results
The incidence of peripartum hysterectomy was 1.46 per 1000 births. Sixty-three were performed after caesarean section and three were performed after vaginal delivery (P < 0.001). Abnormal placentation (accreta, increta and percreta) was the main indication (46.03%). The strongest risk factor for abnormal placentation was placenta previa with previous caesarean section (P < 0.001, OR 17.33, 95% CI 2.09–143.14). One maternal and three neonatal deaths were recorded. Urinary bladder injury was the most frequent complication (26.98%). No difference in morbidity noted between total and subtotal hysterectomy.
Conclusions
The incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy in increasing steadily over the last two decades in the north of Jordan. Abnormal placentation is the commonest indication for emergency peripartum hysterectomy. There is no significant difference between total and subtotal hysterectomy in terms of complications` development, admission to the ICU, and estimated blood loss. The morbidity associated with emergency peripartum hysterectomy is significant.