Therapeutic abortion in an out-patient clinic. A prospective investigation of complications and patient acceptability

Abstract

The incidence of complications associated with therapeutic termination of pregnancy was analysed in 1349 patients, whose average age was 26.3 years. Of the patients, 51.8% were 25 years or under; 56.3% were seen in or before the 8th week of pregnancy, and 17.4% had previously had one or more legal abortions. All the operations were performed under local anaesthesia and by the same doctor, who was an experienced gynaecologist. Complications associated with the operation occurred in 14 patients (1%), viz. infections in the uterus and tubes, 9 cases; incomplete abortion necessitating repeat curettage, 4 cases; and profuse bleeding requiring blood transfusion, 1 case. No uterine perforations or cervical ruptures were encountered. Questioned about subjective discomforts of the opeation, 7.4% of the women answered that the discomfort had been considerable, whereas 62.6% described it as only slight; 4.8% would have perferred general anaesthesia. We conclude that therapeutic abortion can be performed safely and with an acceptably low incidence of complications in out-patients, provided the operations are performed by an experienced gynaecologist.