analysis of cases with postpartum collapse and accidents

A total of 261 cases with postpartum collapse and accidents was seen over a period of 4 years in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore. Most of the problems in 234 [89.65%] cases occurred within 24 hours of delivery. Haemorrhagic collapse was the commonest emergency encountered in 161 [61.68%] cases, followed by postpartum eclampsia in 43 [16.47%] cases, various medical problems in 12 [4.60%], septic shock in 11 [4.21%] and anaeshesia accidents in 9 [3.45%] cases. Important contributing factors were high risk reproductive patterns, substandard social and nutritional status and inadequate and improper antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care. In 157 [60.15%] cases various surgical interventions were carried out. Intensive care for more than 72 hours was instituted in 69 [26.44%] patients but 26 [9.96%] cases expired despite every effort

Maternal mortality: a hospital-based study

A retrospective study of 65 maternal deaths which occurred in one obstetric unit at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore over a period of 10 years from 1983-1992 is presented in this paper. The total live births during this period were 30, 310. Hence, maternal mortality was 2.25 per 1000 live births. Four [6.15%] deaths occurred amongst patients under-20 years of age and 6 [9.23%] in patients above 39 years. Twenty-nine [44.61%] cases were associated with high parity i.e. more than para 5. Only 10 [15.38%] cases had antenatal care. Fourteen cases [21.54%] were either dead or in a moribund condition on reaching the hospital. Fifty-three deaths [81.54%] occurred due to direct causes, with hypertension and haemorrhage accounting for 32 [49.22%] deaths. Thirty-two deaths [49.22%] took place in the postpartum period

Culdocentesis, a useful diagnostic tool in ectopic pregnancy

A four year study was carried out at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore to evaluate the role of culdocentesis as a diagnostic tool in relation to ectopic pregnancy. Colpopuncture was performed in 113 cases of ectopic pregnancy suspected on clinical and/or sonographic findings, and gave true positive results in 99 [87.61%] cases. As this procedure is very simple, does not require any advanced technology or training and gives fairly accurate results, it is more suitable in our working conditions as compared to sonography and laparoscopy