SummaryCase notes of 138 patients admitted during the 5 year period 197%1983 with rupture of the uterus in pregnancy were reviewed. There was I ruptured uterus for every 1285 deliveries and in 42 per cent the uterus had a previous caesarean section scar. In those without a scar. the dominant features were multiparity and prolonged duration of labour. Bladder injury was present in 14 per cent of the patients and was associated with a higher morbidity. This was also true for those patients who had a hysterectomy and if the operating time was in excess of 90 minutes. Some preventable factors are discussed.Rupture of the uterus continues to be one of the serious life-threatening complications of pregnancy. Unfortunately, it is more likely to occur and to be a more serious threat to life in the rural areas of developing countries, where obstetric care is often limited and transportation poor. Although its incidence is low in the developed countries, it remains high in the developing countries.The aim of the study was to attempt to identify retrospectively epidemiological factors associated with uterine rupture and to relate the type of rupture and the form of surgical treatment to maternal morbidity and mortality.