D. S. Kapoor, S. S. Sharma, Z. Alfirevic
Management of unscarred ruptured uterus
Aims and objectives: Rupture of an unscarred gravid
uterus is a rare and dangerous event. We carried out a
postal questionnaire survey of the Fellows of the Royal
College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (United
Kingdom), to ascertain the past and present management
policies in such an event. 210 Fellows responded
(43.5%) and 85 of them managed at least one case of
uterine rupture in previously unscarred gravid uterus.
Results: A total of 108 cases were reported of which 74
(68.5%) were diagnosed during labor. The tear was repaired
and the uterus conserved in 56.5% cases. Maternal
mortality was 10.2% (95% CI 5.2, 17.5) and perinatal
mortality was 34.3% (95% CI 25.4, 44).
When asked how they would manage such a case in the
absence of life threatening circumstances in future,
80.8% of Fellows would opt for uterine repair. Fellows
with previous hands-on experience of uterine rupture
would involve urologists more often in operative management
(22% v 8%, OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2, 10.1). 48% of
Fellows felt that in-patient management is indicated in
subsequent pregnancies and 91% would perform an
elective cesarean section in subsequent pregnancy.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 31, 07/2003
Pages: 337 - 339
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