Conservative approach to the management of pelvic inflammatory disease

Clinical criteria and treatment protocols are outlined for 663 cases of mild, moderate and severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Data on 176 patients requiring admission to hospital and who were treated conservatively with antibiotics are analysed. Criteria for operative intervention are outlined; only 1 patient required surgical intervention. The study suggests that, provided strict criteria are adhered to, conservative management of PID is both safe and effective and offers outlying hospitals and rural practitioners a plan of management that can be safely followed before resorting to referral to major centres.