Surgical management of ruptured gravid uterus in Bida, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Thirty-eight consecutive unbooked patients with ruptured gravid uterus (RGU) were studied over a four-year period, 2001-2005, at Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Nigeria. The total number of deliveries during the period was 4644. Nineteen patients had subtotal hysterectomy, and 19 had repair of RGU±sterilization. All patients had either one form of postoperative complication or the other; many had multiple complications ranging from hypovolaemia, 38 (100%); wound infection, 21(56.3%); septicaemia, five (3.2%); prolonged hospital stay > 10 days, 24 (63.2%) and vesico-vaginal fistula, two(10.5%). Perinatal mortality was 38 (100%) while maternal mortality was five (13.2%). There were no statistically significant differences in morbidity and mortality indices in patients who had subtotal hysterectomy and repair of RGU.