[Prognosis of uterine rupture during labor: a 293-case series compiled at the Bouake University Hospital Center (Ivory Coast)].

The purpose of this retrospective comparative study carried out between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2001 was to determine the incidence of uterine rupture in the maternity ward of the Bouake University Hospital Center and evaluate prognosis for the mother and child in function of transportation distance to the Center. Patients were divided into two groups, i.e., patients transported from an arbitrarily defined safety zone within a 100-kilometer radius of the city and patients from outlying areas beyond the safety zone. The overall incidence of uterine rupture was 2.44%, i.e., one of 41 deliveries. Hysterectomy was performed more often in women from outlying areas: 83.34 % versus 28.57% (p = 0.0000). Mortality secondary to uterine rupture was 411.26% overall with a higher rate in patients from outlying areas than patients from the safety zone: 29.91% versus 8.97% respectively (p = 0.0052). Fetal mortality was 100% for patients from outlying areas. The prognosis of uterine rupture is less favorable for both the mother and child in patients transported from outlying areas.