Postpartum curettage in patients with HELLP-syndrome does not result in accelerated recovery.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to examine the impact of immediate postpartum curettage on the recovery of patients with HELLP-syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets).


METHODS
Between January 1994 and July 1997 all patients who presented with HELLP-syndrome in our institution underwent immediate postpartum curettage (n=24). Their outcome was compared with the recovery of women with HELLP-syndrome who were delivered without postpartum curettage between 1987 and 1993 (n=20). Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed.


RESULTS
No significant difference could be found between both groups in terms of normalization of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and quantitative platelet count. Postpartum hospitalization time was identical in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In our retrospective study no benefit is achieved by immediate postpartum curettage in patients with HELLP-syndrome. In order to eliminate the possible bias of retrospective analysis, we now plan a randomized study to further investigate the impact of immediate postpartum curettage.
Schlenzig
C
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Technische Universität, Munich, Germany.
Maurer
S
S
Goppelt
M
M
Ulm
K
K
Kolben
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003475:Curettage; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D007902:Length of Stay; D010976:Platelet Count; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase