Reliability of Ultrasonographic management of complete spontaneous abortion in the first trimester

ABSTRACT

Distinguishing between complete and incomplete abortion can be difficult when the cervix is found to be closed and bleeding minimal on empirical grounds some authorities proceed with a D and C and others leave them alone. This study aimed at finding out the reliability of ultrasound scanning of the uterus abdominally and vaginally to choose the line of treatment on sound basis. Fifty two subjects with probable complete spontaneous first trimester abortion were elected for this study, all patients had abdominal ultrasound within 62 hours and if no tissue was detected in utero, vaginal ultrasound was performed. Thirty seven patients had -ve ultrasonographic results of which 35 had good outcome without intervention. Two patients showed cramps and bleeding within 4 days and curettage revealed small amount of chorionic tissue. All patients showing intrauterine blood clots or remanents proved to have chorionic tissue on D and C. Therefore, it is concluded that ultrasound is highly reliable in the management of what is presumed to be complete spontaneous first trimester abortion