Determinants and complications of emergent cesarean hysterectomy: Supracervical vs total hysterectomy

Objective: We sought to determine whether emergent cesarean supracervical hysterectomy is associated with reduced risk of complications compared to total hysterectomy. Study Design: We conducted a cohort study of 150 women who underwent emergent cesarean hysterectomy at our medical center from 1991 through 2008. We compared the risk factors and indications, and intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with the 2 surgical procedures. Results: During the study period, a total of 164 cesarean hysterectomies were performed; 91% (n = 150) of these cases were performed emergently of which 53.3% were total and 46.7% were supracervical. There was a significant decline in the relative frequency of total hysterectomy: 71%, 56%, and 24% during 1991-1996, 1997-2002, and 2003-2008, respectively (P < .001). Risk factors, indications for surgery, operative variables, and postoperative complication rates were independent of the type of hysterectomy. Conclusion: Using a cohort of 150 cases from our institution, we found no evidence of increased surgical time or complications associated with total hysterectomy.