Postabortal paracervical abscess as a complication of paracervical block anesthesia. A case report

A paracervical abscess occurred after paracervical block anesthesia was administered for induced abortion in an 18-year-old multigravida. She presented with vaginal, low abdominal and low back pain and with nausea, vomiting, chills and fever. Incision and drainage of the abscess were performed and a vaginal drain inserted under antibiotic coverage. Cultures of the abscess contents revealed multiple anaerobic organisms. Laparoscopy showed normal pelvic organs, and the peritoneal fluid cultures were negative. Postoperatively the patient became afebrile and was discharged after three days on antibiotics. To our knowledge, this case report is the first one on paracervical abscess as a complication of induced abortion with paracervical block anesthesia.