Aim: To evaluate the incidence, indications and complications associated with emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) performed at Christchurch Women's Hospital, New Zealand.
Methods: A retrospective case series analysis of EPH from 2000-2009. Cases were identified using the hospital's computerised database. Those medical records were reviewed. EPH was defined as one performed for major postpartum haemorrhage unresponsive to other treatment within 24 hours of delivery.
Results: Nineteen EPH cases were identified among 47,520 deliveries, giving an incidence of 0.4 per 1000 deliveries. The indications were invasive placental adhesion--accreta, increta, percreta (63%), uterine atony (16%), placenta praevia (10.5%) and uterine tear with atony (10.5%). All cases of abnormal placentation in this study had previous caesareans or curettages. A significant association between previous uterine surgery and abnormal placentation was shown (p=0.02), especially those with previous caesarean (p=0.003). No maternal or perinatal mortality was recorded. Maternal morbidity was prevalent, including eight disseminated intravascular coagulopathies, seven intensive care, three bladder injuries, two re-explorations, one respiratory failure and one pulmonary embolism.
Conclusion: Invasive placental adhesion is the major indication for EPH. This study demonstrates an association between the presence of scarred uteri as a result of previous uterine surgery, and abnormal placentation.