Septic abortion: a 5-year experience at Siriraj Hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To report characteristics of the patients with septic abortion between 2006 and 2010.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present retrospective study was done by reviewing the medical records of the women who were admitted to Siriraj Hospital between 2006 and 2010 with the diagnosis of septic abortion.

RESULTS

Eighty-three women were admitted to Siriraj Hospital and diagnosed with septic abortion. The mean age was 25.1 years (range 14 to 40 years) and the mean gestational age was 11.3 weeks (range 6 to 24 weeks). Fifty percent of them had a history of induced abortion and 65% came with an incomplete abortion. The principal presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding. Insertion of vaginal tablets appeared to be the most commonly used method of induced abortion. Ampicillin and gentamicin plus metronidazole were the mainstay empirical antibiotics. Length of hospital stay ranged from 2 to 24 days. After the clinical improvement, oral pill was the most popular contraceptive method.

CONCLUSION

Septic abortion remains a big issue in Thai society. To mitigate the problem, sex education, particularly emphases on contraception, should be encouraged.