Molar pregnancy: a ten year review at Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of all cases of molar pregnancies managed at St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, from 1991 to 2000 was done. Fifty-nine patients were treated, but fifty-three case-notes were retrieved. The ages parity, clinical presentation, pregnancy outcome and complications following treatment, extracted the age range was 17-43 years, mean 20.9 + 7.7 years. The incidence of molar pregnancy was 1:332 deliveries or 1.416 pregnancies. There was no definite age pattern in the distribution of molar pregnancy. The commonest clinical presentation was recurrent vaginal bleeding 90.6% while the least was uterine size less than date in 3.8% of the cases. Syntocinon induction with evacuation of the uterus was the commonest form of treatment. Total abdominal hysterectomy with the mole insitu was performed only in 5.7% of the patients. The commonest complication was haemorrhage 26.4%, while persistent gestational trophoblastic tumour occurred in 9.4% of cases. There was no maternal death. Proper treatment of this condition is emphasized, molar gestation carries the risk of malignant trophoblastic tumour. There is need for adequate follow-up of these patients in subsequent pregnancies.


Jnl Med. Investigation & Practice Vol.3 2001: 26-31