Genital cytologic abnormalities in patients having therapeutic abortion

In the three years 1971-1973, 1,032 patients had therapeutic abortions at the Duke University Medical Center. Of these 99 (9.59%) had abnormal cervical cells on routine preabortion Papanicolaou smears. The patient who presents for therapeutic abortion appears to be at high risk for early cervical neoplasia. Therefore, it is mandatory that evaluation of the preabortion patient include adequate genital cytologic studies with means for proper follow-up.