Sequelae of mid-trimester abortions induced by extra-amniotic drip infusion of normal saline

The results of a survey conducted in a group of 60 women, three years after they underwent induction of mid-trimester abortion by extra-amniotic infusion of isotonic saline solution, are presented. The aim of this method for induction of abortion can affect the patients' fertility and the outcome of their subsequent pregnancies and deliveries. In the group we recorded 39 pregnancies, of which 9 were undesired. Of the 30 women who wished for another pregnancy, 29 became pregnant without difficulty and one after treatment for intrauterine adhesions. Twenty-four (80%) of the pregnancies ended with spontaneous deliveries, five of which (16.6%) were premature deliveries, 4 (13.3%) by spontaneous abortions and in one case (6.7%) a cesarean section was performed. The results obtained using our procedure are similar to those reported for other methods for induction of abortion, and especially by the intra-amniotic infusion of hypertonic saline. In our series we have recorded no immediate complications. All patients received preventive antibiotic treatment and in all of them a manual exploration of the uterine cavity was performed in order to avoid the formation of intrauterine adhesions.