Self-induced abortion--the peril is still real.
A new immigrant from Romania tried to induce abortion by intrauterine self-administration of hypertonic sucrose at 7 weeks' gestation. Complete abortion did not occur and bleeding, infection and pregnancy residua persisted for 13 weeks. Evacuation by uterine curettage had failed, but a second curettage under real-time sonographic guidance was successful. Self-induced chemical abortions are rarely encountered in modern medicine. However, elevation of the iron curtain and mass immigration may increase the frequency of self-induced abortions in Western countries. Since the management, course, and outcome of each type of self-induced abortion are somewhat different, the pertinent differentiation is between chemical and mechanical and between various agents used for chemical-induced abortions. Mechanical abortions are best treated 12 to 24 hours after antibiotic therapy, while in chemically-induced abortion early evacuation of the uterus is indicated.
Weissman
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel.
Elhalal
U
U
Blickstein
I
I
Caspi
B
B
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000030:Abortion, Missed / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003475:Curettage; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D012648:Self Care / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D004338:Drug Combinations; D005839:Gentamicins; D008795:Metronidazole; D002437:Cefazolin