Outcome better with planned cesarean hysterectomy, vs. emergent surgery

A planned cesarean hysterectomy results in less blood loss, fewer transfusions, and lower rates of complications compared with emergent cesarean hysterectomy, researchers report in the August issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Christian M. Briery, MD, of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., and colleagues reviewed data gathered over a 5-year period on 65 cases of cesarean hysterectomy, of which 30 were planned and 35 were emergent.

Patients who underwent emergent cesarean hysterectomy had an estimated blood loss of 2,597 mL versus 1,963 mL for those whose hysterectomies were planned. The blood transfusion rates were 66% and 33% for emergent and planned hysterectomies, respectively, and 66% of emergent cases resulted in complications versus 37% for planned cases.

Briery CM, Rose CH, Hudson WT, et al. Planned vs emergent cesarean hysterectomy. Am J Obstet Gyneol. 2007;197:+154.e1-154.e5.