Case report: Peritonitis secondary to traumatic bowel perforation during second-trimester surgical abortion

Uterine perforation and bowel injury are rare but potentially life-threatening complications of surgical abortion. Early diagnosis results in easier management and better prognosis. We report here a case of a 39-year-old presented with peritonitis secondary to traumatic bowel perforation after second-trimester surgical abortion.

A 39-year-old Gravida 3 Para 2 presented with acute abdominal pain two days after second trimester induced abortion. On physical examination, the patient was febrile and hypotensive with diffuse abdominal tenderness. Emergency abdomino-pelvic-CT showed generalized peritonitis with pneumoperitoneum. The patient underwent an emergency laparotomy. Per operative exploration revealed a perforation of the fundus of the uterus and the sigmoid portion of the large intestine, resulting in stercoral peritonitis. We proceeded with thorough cleansing of the abdominal cavity with physiological serum, followed by partial colectomy including the perforated sigmoid and a Hartmann's procedure. The patient was admitted to the post-operative intensive care unit for 18 days and discharged on day 27 after the surgery. Intestinal continuity restoration was performed six months after the surgery.

Given the severity of second trimester pregnancy termination complications, efforts should be made to promote contraception and medical first-trimester pregnancy termination. Any unusual symptom after surgical induced abortion should lead to suspect uterine perforation.

Uterine perforation during induced abortion is usually asymptomatic and can generally be managed conservatively. However, bowel injury may result in peritonitis, requiring immediate laparotomy and resection of perforated bowel. CT-scans can help diagnose this rare complication.