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. 2007 Sep 6;125(5):261-4.
doi: 10.1590/s1516-31802007000500002.

Prevalence of uterine synechia after abortion evacuation curettage

Adriana Salzani  1 , Daniela Angerame Yela, José Roberto Erbolato Gabiatti, Aloísio José Bedone, Ilza Maria Urbano Monteiro
Affiliations

Prevalence of uterine synechia after abortion evacuation curettage

Adriana Salzani et al. Sao Paulo Med J. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Context and objective: Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a possible complication of uterine curettage following abortion. Because IUA is an important cause of infertility, some investigators have been advocating its inclusion in the routine investigational workup after every abortion curettage procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the uterine cavity of patients subjected to abortion curettage, in order to ascertain the prevalence of IUA and its association with social and clinical factors.

Design and setting: This was a cross-sectional study at the Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp).

Methods: A total of 109 women were enrolled. The investigators searched the records of Unicamp's hospital for patients who had been subjected to uterine curettage following abortion. The hysteroscopy was performed 3 to 12 months after the curettage. The correlations between patients' characteristics and the prevalence of IUA were assessed by means of chi-squared and Fisher's exact test calculations.

Results: The prevalence of IUA was 37.6%. The number of previous abortions and curettage procedures did not correlate with the presence of IUA. Most of the women (56.1%) presented IUA grade I.

Conclusions: In the present study, 37.6% of the women subjected to curettage following abortion had IUA, which was mostly mucous and grade I. None of the demographic and clinic characteristics evaluated were found to be associated with IUA. From this study, there is no firm evidence to justify carrying out routine diagnostic hysteroscopy following abortion evacuation.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO:: As sinéquias uterinas são complicações que podem ocorrer após curetagem uterina por aborto. Como se trata de causa importante de infertilidade, muitos autores têm indicado uma investigação rotineira após curetagens uterinas por aborto. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a cavidade uterina de pacientes submetidas a curetagem após aborto para detectar a prevalência das sinéquias e a possível associação com alguns fatores sociais e clínicos.

TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL:: Estudo de corte transversal, realizado na Unidade de Reprodução Humana do Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp).

MÉTODOS:: 109 mulheres foram submetidas a histeroscopia diagnóstica ambulatorial 3 a 12 meses após curetagem por aborto. Dados clínicos foram obtidos dos prontuários médicos. As correlações entre as características clínicas e a prevalência de sinéquias uterinas foram testadas através do cálculo do qui-quadrado e do teste exato de Fisher.

RESULTADOS:: A prevalência de sinéquias foi de 37,6%. O número de abortos anteriores e de curetagens não se correlacionou com a presença de sinéquias. A maioria das mulheres (56,1%) apresentou sinéquias grau I.

CONCLUSÕES:: Neste estudo, 37,6% das mulheres submetidas a curetagem por aborto apresentaram sinéquias, a maioria delas do tipo mucoso e de grau I. Nenhuma das características clínicas e demográficas avaliadas associou-se às sinéquias. Os resultados deste estudo não autorizam indicação rotineira de histeroscopia diagnóstica em pacientes submetidas a curetagem uterina por aborto.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

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