Evaluating the management outcomes of gynaecological emergencies at a tertiary hospital, Abakaliki Southeast, Nigeria

Background: Gynaecological emergencies are common causes of emergency hospital presentation/admission. Majority of the emergencies are mostly pregnancy related and pose threat to two lives as well as the women’s future reproductive careers. There is therefore need to evaluate them to make better preparations in managing them. Methods: This was a 10 year (from 01 January 2012 to 31 December 2021) retrospective study of gynaecological emergencies managed at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), evaluating their management and outcomes. Results: The commonest cause of gynaecological emergency at AEFUTHA was miscarriage accounting for up to 69.1% out of which incomplete miscarriage contributed 70.8% and majority had manual vacuum aspiration with good outcome. Ruptured ectopic pregnancies were the commonest surgical emergencies with the incidence of 7.1% and all had laparotomy and partial salpingectomy. Gestational trophoblastic diseases accounted for 2.0% of gynaecological emergencies. The commonest non-pregnancy related gynaecological emergency was acute pelvic inflammatory diseases which accounted for 9.3% of cases. Other gynaecological emergencies reviewed were ovarian accidents (2.9%), abnormal uterine bleeding (3.9%), gynaecological malignancies (2.3%), coital laceration (1.5%), sexual assault (2.4%) and Bartholin’s abscess (0.2%). Factors that affected the outcome were the age of the patients, marital status and disease type and were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Management outcomes of gynaecological emergencies were optimum. Mortality occurred in 1.3% of cases, with gynaecological malignancies accounting for 81.4%. There is usually a good prognosis when prompt, accurate diagnosis and treatment are administered.