title: Complications of surgical abortion.
abstract: Surgical abortion is one of the most common procedures performed in reproductive-aged women and when performed by a skilled provider in the appropriate setting, it is one of the safest surgeries. Though the risk of complications is low, it increases exponentially with gestational age. Factors increasing risk of morbidity may be demographic, such as increasing patient age; medical, such as prior cesarean delivery; and procedural, such as inadequate dilation. This chapter will provide information on how to recognize factors that increase risk, steps to minimize risk, and to identify and manage complications promptly.
authors.affiliation: Bixby Center for Reproductive Health and Policy, and San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diedrich
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steinauer
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010921:Placenta Accreta / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012307:Risk Factors; D014595:Uterine Perforation / Q000628:therapy