Uterine perforation during elective first trimester abortions: a 13-year review

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, presentation, management and outcome of uterine perforation during elective first trimester abortions.

We conducted a retrospective study of 40 patients, including 2 transferred patients, who sustained uterine perforation during elective abortions from January 1980 to December 1992.

The incidence of uterine perforation was 0.8 per 1,000 procedures (0.08%). There were 8 (20%) nulliparae and 3 (7.5%) grand multigravidae. 82.5% of the cases occurred when the abortion was performed by medical officers or junior registrars under training. The commonest perforating instrument was the suction cannula (25%) followed by the uterine sound (22.5%) and the dilator (20%). Three (7.5%) cases were treated conservatively, 33 (82.5%) cases underwent emergency operation, 2 (5%) cases were discovered during subsequent sterilisation, and 2 (5%) cases suffered undiagnosed perforation and were re-admitted for emergency surgery. Morbidity included post operative fever (12.5%), bowel injury (7.5%), retained conceptus (5%) and wound breakdown (2.5%). There was no mortality.

A careful assessment of the uterine size and position, vigilance in the use of uterine sound and dilators, greater care in the use of suction cannula, and experience in vacuum aspiration will decrease the incidence of uterine perforation during elective abortions. A high degree of suspicion, early diagnosis and treatment will prevent the potential complications that may arise from uterine perforation.