Complications attributed to illicit abortions

A four year prospective study was carried out involving 83 cases of induced abortions, 72 were induced illegally and 11 were medically indicated, to determine the incidence and types of complications of illegally induced abortions as well as those of therapeutic ones. The prevalence of illegal abortion was 3.61% and that of therapeutic was 0.55%. In illegally induced group, age of 48 [66.66%] women ranged between 21-35 years, 34 [47.22%] were grand multiparas and 79% were illiterate. In 31 [43.25%] women, illegal abortions were carried out by TBAs and the most commonly used method was instrumentation employed in 46 [63.88%] of cases. The commonest complication detected was haemorrhage occurred in 31 [43.25%] patients, followed by sepsis in 24 [33.33%] and trauma in 13 [18%] cases. Indications of therapeutic abortions included maternal malignant diseases and fetal anomalies. Only one patient developed post abortal endometritis

Gestational trophoblastic disease: a clinical study of the benign and non-metastatic varieties

Over a period of four years, 74 cases of gestational trophoblastic disease including 64 of hydatidiform mole, 8 of choriocarcinoma and 2 of invasive mole were seen. During this period there were 19,208 pregnancy-related admissions, so the rate of gestational trophoblastic disease per 1000 pregnancies was 3.85 and that of molar pregnancy was 3.33. Of the 66 cases of benign and invasive moles, 30 [45.45%] were in high-risk age group. Anaemia was detected in 55 [83.33%] women, 12 [18.18%] had excessive vomiting and 10 [15.15%] were hypertensive. In 35 [53.03%] patients the uterus was bigger for dates and 11 [16.67%] had theca lutein cysts. Out of 66 cases, 57 [86.36%] had primary suction curettage whereas repeat curettage was required in 16 [24.24%] women. Three women had hysterectomy while chemotherapy was instituted in 5 patients. Monitoring and follow up were done by serial beta HCG estimation. Beta HCG regression pattern was found to be within normal limits in 36 [83.72%] patients out of those 43 who were not defaulters