Anaesthetic and intensive care management of rupture of the gravid uterus: a review of 50 cases

Fifty emergency laparotomies were performed over a period of 5 years for rupture of the gravid uterus at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokotol Nigeria. The associated morbidity and mortality rates were very high. Contributory factors were lack of antenatal care, high parity, late presentation, inadequate resuscitation, delayed surgery and poor perioperative monitoring and anaesthetic management. More widespread and efficient antenatal care and better referral centre services will improve patient outcome.