Cesarean and postpartum hysterectomy in Enugu, 1973-1986

Obstetric hysterectomies were performed on 163 patients over a period of 13 years out of 56,823 deliveries. Seventy-one percent of the patients received no antenatal care in the index pregnancies. The majority were of high parity. Ruptured uterus was the commonest indication. Inadequate transfusion and late presentation affected the prognosis adversely. Ignorance, availability of suitable maternity care units and uncontrolled reproductive patterns were the main predisposing factors.