Early abortions. Surgical techniques and patient care

Aspects concerning abortions performed through teh 12th week of pregnancy are discussed. Mortality and morbidity rates are lower in countries where abortions performed within the 12th week of pregnancy are more numerous. The frequency of complications increases as the length of the pregnancy at the time of the abortion increases. More complications arise in abortions performed by dilation and curettage than by vacuum aspiration. Women under 15 and over 45 years of age more frequently experience complications after abortion. Infection is more frequent in primigravidae than in multigravidae undergoing abortion. Polyclinic abortions show a lower complication rate because healthier patients undergo vacuum aspirations polyclinically. Local anestheseia is widely used but may cause a higher frequency of complications. Spontaneous abortion is more frequent among women having undergone abortion. IUDs can be implanted and sterilizations can be performed in conjunction with abortion. Oral contraceptives can be prescribed at the time of abortion. Methods used for performing vacuum aspiration and dilation and curettage are described. Women should be hospitalized when undergoing abortion if they are 12 weeks pregnant if there is a high risk for complications after previous uterine surgery or in conjunction with sterilization. Gonorrhea and anemia should be tested for. The patients should be given postoperative instructions and should have a postoperative checkup. All medical personnel involved with the performance of abortion should be willing to perform the operation and have positive attitudes toward abortion.