RESUMO
A series of 117 cases of emergency obstetric hysterectomy performed between 1976 and 1985 is reviewed. The indications included ruptured uterus (53.8%), intractable postpartum haemorrhage (20.5%), placenta accreta (7.7%), major degree of placenta praevia (7.7%), haemorrhage at Caesarean section (4.5%), couvelaire uterus (3.4%) and abdominal pregnancy (2.6%). Despite a general aversion to hysterectomy by the women in our society, these procedures were undertaken in a desperate attempt to save life. There were 6 (5.1%) maternal deaths, all due to the severity of the indication for the hysterectomy. Presence of an experienced obstetrician is important to make an early decision to operate before the patient's condition is extreme and to provide the technical skills required to minimize morbidity and mortality.