[The vaginal transverse low segment hysterotomy for second trimester therapeutic abortion (author's transl)]

A series of 100 therapeutic abortions by vaginal hysterotomy is reported. This method of vaginal hysterotomy with a transverse low segment incision just above the internal os of the cervix was first described by Fuchs in 1939. The important advantage of this method is complete avoidance of the uterine cervix. With this method a therapeutic abortion after the tenth week of gestation and in a few cases, up to the 20th week of gestation can be accomplished by a fast one stage technique with few side effects. The method is considered to be superior to the injection methods and the two stage procedures. With skill in vaginal operative techniques, this method can be used in any gynaecological department as a routine method. In this series, 28 cases had concomitant tubal ligations. There were two subsequent pregnancies. Complications were one uterine perforation during the curettage requiring laparotomy and suture. There was one laceration of the trigon of the bladder requiring suture. There were 2 cases of hemorrhage. There were 6 inflammatory reactions in the perimetria of which two required administration of antibiotics. There was superficial thrombophlebitis in one case. And there was a severe coagulation defect in one case of a missed abortion at 5 months gestation.