Postpartum haemorrhage is the most important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, especially when all conservative measures, including syntometrine oxytocin and Bakri balloons have failed to accomplish haemostasis and expeditious surgical procedures, such as uterine artery ligation and emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) are required. This retrospective study analysed 31 cases of EPH performed between January 2007 and January 2016 in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Izmir Ataturk Teaching and Research Hospital. All hysterectomies performed for bleeding not responding to other treatments within 24 h of vaginal delivery or caesarean section (CS) were included. Twenty-nine patients who underwent EPH (93.6%) had at least one previous CS (p<0.05). Two EPHs (6.4%) were performed after vaginal delivery (p<0.05). The most frequent indications were placenta previa with accreta (70.9%, p<0.05). There were no cases of maternal mortality. Previous CS and abnormal placental invasion were the most common indications for EPH.
Keywords: Emergency peripartum hysterectomy, Abnormal placentation..