Morbidity of surgical induced abortion between 14 and 16 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the morbidity associated with surgical induced abortion (SIA) using the dilation and evacuation (D&E) technique between 14 and 16 weeks of gestation (WG).

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted at Hôpital de la Conception, Marseille, including patients who underwent SIA between 14 and 16 WG from April 4, 2022, to February 8, 2024.

RESULTS

Among the 127 patients included, 17 cases (13.39%) of haemorrhage (blood loss > 500 mL) were reported, 1 case (0.79%) required a hemostatic hysterectomy and a blood transfusion due to placenta accreta, 2 cases (1.57%) involved cervical lacerations, and 2 cases (1.57%) postoperative infections. No uterine perforations or secondary surgeries for retained products were reported. Blood loss volume decreased over the course of the study (beta -0.55; 95% CI -0.79, -0.30; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SIA using the D&E method between 14 and 16 WG is a procedure with a low risk of major complications. As with any surgical procedure, this technique requires a learning curve.