The diagnosis of incomplete abortion

A prospective study of 203 patients referred with a diagnosis of incomplete abortion is reported and the final histological diagnosis is discussed. Eighty-six patients (42 percent) were not pregnant, and 14 (7 percent) had other abnormalities of pregnancy. Clinical features of value in confirming the diagnosis were cervical dilation (misleading in 6 percent), uterine enlargement (misleading in 31 percent) and pain (misleading in 34 percent). Amenorrhoea was significantly shorter in patients with dysfunctional bleeding and bleeding prolonged in the other groups, but a wide range was noted. Age did not differ significantly between the two groups. A histological diagnosis was made in all but five patients. No clinical feature was completely reliable and curettage was often necessary to reach a final diagnosis.