Early Re-laparotomy after Gynaecological and Obsterical Surgery – a twelve months – Retrospective Study

Objective(s): To study the incidence of early re-laparotomy, its indications and mortality rates in a rural tertiary teaching institution. Method(s): A retrospective descriptive study of early relaparotomy after primary gynaecological and obstetrical surgery over a period of 12 months from 1 st August 2012 to 31 st July 2013 was done. Result(s): Total incidence of re –laparotomy was 0.169%. Most common complications requiring relaparotomy were intraperitoneal haemorrhage(36.36%) and PPH(36.36%) followed by rectus sheath haematoma(18.18%) and Burst abdomen(9.09%).Women who underwent primary surgeries for gynaecological and obstetrical condition required re-laparotomy in 0.16% & 0.17% cases respectively and mortality was 0% and 20% cases respectively. Conclusion: Indication of primary surgery,whether gynaecological or obstetrical, patient’s pre-operative general condition,surgeon’s experiences and care by the intensivist may influence the outcome of relaparotomy. Re-laparotomy should be considered as a procedure in case of near miss fatality of mother. To make it safe every effort must be adopted.