Abdominal hysterectomy for abortion-sterilization. A report of 500 consecutive cases

This report is a retrospective study of 500 consecutive abdominal hysterectomies performed on the Therapeutic Abortion Service at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center from 1968 to 1974. The cases have been examined as to the patient's profile of age, religion, ethnic group, marital status, gravidity, parity, and abortion history; the coexisting medical problems; the types of associated surgeries performed; complications and morbidity, including blood loss, febrile episodes, and length of hospitalization. This patient population was predominantly 26 to 35 years of age, Catholic, Spanish-surname, married, and in their third to eighth pregnancy. Over 30% of our patients had some relatively severe medical or social problem contributing to their selection of this procedure. In over 80% of patients, hysterectomy was the only surgical procedure performed. Average blood loss was less than 400 cc, and 6.8% of patients had transfusion. In about 32% of patients a significant febrile episode was recorded. The average postoperative stay in hospital was about 5 days. No death was encountered. In view of these findings and the apparent benefits of a combined procedure, it is suggested that this surgical approach is a safe and effective method of simultaneous termination of unwanted pregnancy and childbearing capacity in selected cases in which hysterectomy would be medically indicated.