ABSTRACT
PIP: 5 deaths occurred out of the 3752 induced abortions carried out at J.J. Hospital attached to Grant Medical College, Bombay, between April 1972 and March 1977. 4 of these deaths occurred during the second trimester, indicating that delayed abortion brings increased risks. Most of the cases in the second trimester (total 1152) were terminated by intra-amniotic hypertonic saline (IAS), including the 4 deaths. The fifth death occurred after a suCtion curettage at 12 weeks. There was a relatively high incidence of complications mainly involving infection after administration of IAS. To minimize the mortality due to intra-amniotic hypertonic saline injection it is essential that 1) the patient is carefully evaluated by the specialist, who will do the procedure in a well equipped hospital; and 2) the patient should be kept under constant observation throughout the procedure and afterwards. Although induced abortion will never be without some risk, the risk may be minimized if the procedure is carried out in the first trimester under suitable conditions by an experienced person using well-established techniques.^ieng
