RUPTURED UTERUS

Uterine rupture, an important cause of maternal and fetal mortality, is still occasionally seen in our region. In this study we reviewed 41 cases of uterine rupture encountered between the years 1983 and 1988, in a total of 3962 hospital deliveries with a frequency of 1 in 96.6 deliveries. Sixteen cases (39.0%) were over 35 years old. Twenty-five patients (60.9%) were grand multiparous (more than five pregnancies). There were no uterine ruptures in primigravid women. Ruptures were mostly (75.6%) due to cephalopelvic disproportion. Subtotal hysterectomy was the first choice of management for 35 cases. The maternal mortality rate was 7.3% while fetal mortality was 82.9%. Midwife education, regular antenatal care and hospital deliveries are important factors in prevention of this obstetric hazard. © 1990.