Objectives:To determine the frequency of retained placenta at
the University College Hospital Ibadan (UCH). and to describe
the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients and examine
the risk factors predisposing to retained placenta.Methods:This is a descriptive study covering a period of 5 years
from January 1st 2002 to December 31st 2006. During the study
period, 4980 deliveries took place at the University College
Hospital, Ibadan and 106 cases of retained placenta were managed
making the incidence 2.13 per cent of all births.Results:During the five year period, there were 106 patients with
retained placenta; of these, 90 (84.9%) case notes were available
for analysis. The mean age was 29.37 ± 4.99 years. First and second
Para accounted for 52 per cent of the patients. Majority of the
patient were unbooked for antenatal care in UCH with booked
patients accounting for 27.8 per cent of the cases. The mean
gestational age at delivery was 34.29 ± 6.02. Three patients
presented to the hospital in shock of which 2 died on account of
severe haemorrhagic shock. Fifty-eight patients (64.8%) presented
with anaemia (packed cell volume less than 30 per cent) and 35
patients (38.8%) had blood transfusion ranging between 1-4 pints.
1 patient required hysterectomy on account of morbidly adherent
placenta. Eleven patients (12.2%) had placenta retention in the
past, 28 patients (31%) had a previous dilatation and curettage, 14
patients (15.5%) had previous caesarean sections and 47 patients
(41.3%) had no known predisposing factorsConclusion:Retained placenta still remains a potentially life
threatening condition in the tropics due to the associated
haemorrhage, and other complications related to its removal. The
incidence and severity may be decreased by health education,
women empowerment and the provision of facilities for essential
obstetric services by high skilled health care providers in ensuring
a properly conducted delivery with active management of the third
stage of labour.