RESUMEN
The indications for hysterectomy have changed due to the introduction of many alternatives. However, it is still the most common major gynecological operation. Therefore, this study was conducted to study the indications for a hysterectomy in a teaching hospital. This is a retrospective study analyzing the indications for hysterectomy in a teaching hospital over a period of two years [2008-2009]. In total, 148 hysterectomies were analyzed. The case notes of these patients were reviewed. The mean age was 46.6 year. Bleeding disorders, uterine fibroids, and abdominal pain were the most frequent indications accounting for 68%. Only 15% were performed due to malignant or premalignant conditions. The final histopathology reports revealed that the most common finding in the uterine specimens was fibroid, which was reported in 50 patients [33.78%], followed by adenomyosis which was reported in 38 patients [25.68%]. About 90% of our hysterectomies were carried out through an abdominal route and 10% by the vaginal route. We reported no major complication that endanger the life of the patient as most of the complications were the usual minor postoperative ones ranging from wound infection in 9% to fever and abdominal pain in 1%. The vast majority of hysterectomies were performed to relieve the symptoms of pain, bleeding, or both which means that the indication can be summarized due to discomfort and inconvenience rather than threaten life. It is very clear that age has an important influence on the relative frequency of the indications which are flexible rather than absolute