Retained Placenta Aspect of Clinical Management in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria

Background: Retained placenta is a significant cause of postpartum haemorrhage, maternal morbidity and occasionally mortality. This study assessed the clinical presentation, management and outcomes of retained placenta at the Ebonyi State University teaching Hospital. Method: Analysis of records relating to retained placenta managed in the hospital over a three year period (August 2003 to July 20060. Results: The incidence of retained placenta was 0.22% (1 in 456 vaginal deliveries). Eleven (32.4%) patients were admitted with retained placenta following home delivery. Two (5.6%) delivery in a peripheral hospital, 6(17.7%) delivered in a Health center and 2(5.9%) delivered in a maternity home. Preterm deliveries accounted for 17.7% of the cases. Eighteen parturient were admitted in shock. One patient had hysterectomy for adherent placenta. Conclusion: Improved peripatum services, education on the dangers of unsupervised home deliveries, women empowernment and prompt referral for emergency obstetrics care will reduce the associated mortality and morbidity. Keywords: Anaemia, Significant, Retained placentaNigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (2) 2008: pp. 146-14