Hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions at a Tertiary Hospital, South-south, Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the indications, type and outcome of hysterectomy performed for benign gynaecological conditions over a 5-year period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 152 women who had hysterectomy for benign conditions at the gynaecology unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, (UPTH) Nigeria, between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015 was conducted. Data was obtained from the theatre records and case notes of patients and entered into a proforma. This was analysed using the statistical package SPSS 20. Results: Hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions accounted for 15.4% of all major gynaecological operations. The leading indication for hysterectomy was uterine fibroid 75 (49.3%). The mean age and parity were 49.9 + 11.3years and 4.2 + 2.4 respectively. Abdominal hysterectomy with either unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy accounted for 105 (69.1%). Majority of the patients 104 (68.4%) were transfused and the mean number of blood units transfused was 2.08 ± 1.24. The crude morbidity rate was 22 (14.5%) with anaemia occurring in 15 (68.2%) of the women. There was one death from hypovolaemic shock during this period. Total abdominal hysterectomy had a statistically significant higher rate of blood transfusion (P= 0.03). Conclusion: Hysterectomy for benign gynaecological conditions is a relatively common and safe procedure. The trend in the indications and pattern of morbidity has remained largely unchanged.