[Hysterectomies in tropical zones: experience of one African maternal health service. 141 cases in Burkina Faso]

We conducted a retrospective study of all hysterectomies performed in our setting over a two year period (1995-1996). The objective was double: define the indications and precise the outcome. A total of 141 cases were recorded. The main characteristics of the patients were the following: a mean age of 38 years, mean gravidity and parity of 5 and an average number of living children of 3. Hysterectomy was performed by the abdominal route in 86.52% of the cases. The main indications were: uterine rupture (39.71%), uterine myoma (25.53%), genital prolapse (19.89%) and cervix cancer (7.09%). Adnexectomy was associated in 51 cases and it was bilateral in 22 cases. The following complications occurred: 5 deaths, 8 wound abcess, 2 bladder injury, 1 ureter injury and 1 case of post-operative hemorragea.