Abortion procedures in a tertiary care institution in India

To determine the complications rate of termination of pregnancy (TOP) and the risk factors for complications following TOP.

Retrospective observational study of the records of 1287 women who underwent TOP in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, between 1997 and 2001. First-trimester abortion was performed in 1088 women (85%) and second-trimester abortion in 199 women (15%). Most women (76%) were aged between 26 and 30 years; they were educated and requested TOP primarily to limit the number of their children or to space their births. A malformed fetus was the indication for TOP in 5.9% cases, and 16% of the women had medical disorders associated with the pregnancy. Suction evacuation was the method of choice for first-trimester abortion (88%); dinoprostone gel and extra-amniotic saline solution plus oxytocin infusion were the primary methods (71%) for second-trimester abortion.

Uterine perforation occurred in 1 patient (0.09%) after a first-trimester abortion. The total rate of complications was 3.79% after first-trimester and 4.0% after second-trimester abortions. Excessive hemorrhage and retained placenta were chief complications associated with second-trimester abortion. Incomplete abortion (1.5%) and minor infection were seen in 2.3% patients. The rate of complications was higher among parous women. Postabortion insertion of a CuT intrauterine device increased the need for a second course of antibiotics.

Termination of pregnancy is safe if adequate care is taken while performing the procedure.