RESUMEN
A possible method for reducing complications after legally induced first-trimester abortions was sought. One hundred-seventeen patients participated in the study and had the gestational age determined by ultrasound before evacuation. The aspirated amount of tissue was measured and a definite correlation was made to the seventh to twelfth week of gestation respectively. It is concluded that at least 15 ml tissue should be evacuated in the seventh to eight week, 25 ml in the ninth to tenth week, and 35 ml in the eleventh to twelfth respectively.
PIP: A method for reducing complications from retained tissue requiring readmission after a legally induced 1st trimester abortion is evaluated. Prior attempts had been made to ascertain the reason for an annual 6% of 22,000 readmission rate. 117 women ages 18-42 years requesting legal abortion participated in this study at Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. 47% were primagravida and the median age was 29.5 years. This study determined gestational age of 77-12 weeks by ultrasound for measuring crown-rump length. The abortion was performed by vacuum aspiration, followed by curettage and iv administration of oxytocin 10. Aspirated tissue was measured, after removal of blood clots, in a tube contain g 50 ml of water to eliminate air bubbles. Readmission due to infection or bleeding within the nest month was recorded. Tissue removed in a reevacuation was examined microscopically to ascertain placental or decidua tissue. The results of the analysis using Mann- Whitney's rank sum test for unpaired data revealed a significant difference in amount of aspirated tissue between 7-8 and 9-10 weeks (p.01) and also between 9-10 and 11-12 weeks (p.01). 5% or 6 patients were readmitted of whom 4.2% or 5 required a recurettage because of excessive bleeding. In 3 cases (2.5%) villi chorii were found on histological examination. 2 had a retroverted uterus and all 3 were 8-9 weeks gestation, 25 years, and primagravida. The retroversion would create more difficulty in emptying. It is recommended that retained tissue should be suspected when the amount of tissue after aspiration is 15 ml in the weeks 7-8, 25 ml in the weeks 9-10 and 35 ml in the weeks 11-12 of gestation.