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Comparative Study
. 2014 Jun;34(6):547-51.
doi: 10.1002/pd.4346. Epub 2014 Mar 18.

Induction of labor compared to dilation and evacuation for postmortem analysis

A K Lal  1 , M A Kominiarek, N M Sprawka
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Induction of labor compared to dilation and evacuation for postmortem analysis

A K Lal et al. Prenat Diagn. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the ability to obtain autopsy and cytogenetics after midtrimester termination.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of women undergoing termination, via induction or dilation and evacuation (D&E), at 16 0/7-23 6/7 weeks was performed. Exclusion criteria were elective termination, preterm labor, PPROM, and no autopsy or cytogenetic exam performed. The ability to obtain cytogenetics and autopsy as well as complications rates were compared between the two groups with Chi-square tests.

Results: Of the 469 women who met the inclusion criteria, 158 had an induction and 312 had a D&E. The induction of labor group had higher mean gestational ages, p < 0.01. Successful autopsy was more likely in the induction group, 94.3%, versus D&E group, 34.7%, p = 0.01. There was no difference in ability to obtain cytogenetics between the two groups, 89.1% in the induction group, and 92.3% in D&E group, p = 0.4. There was a difference in the total complication rates between the groups, 9.8% (26) in the induction versus 6.4% (20) in the D&E group, p < 0.01; however, there was no difference in major complications.

Conclusions: Midtrimester terminations by induction were more likely to have successful autopsies when compared with D&E. The ability to obtain cytogenetics was similar regardless of termination mode.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of patients included in the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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