ABSTRACT
Induced abortion is a controversial topic among obstetricians. "100 Professors" extolled the benefits of elective abortion in a Clinical Opinion published in AJOG. However, scientific balance requires the consideration of a second opinion from practitioners who care for both patients, and who recognize the humanity of both. Alternative approaches to the management of a problem pregnancy, as well as short and long term risks to women as published in the peer reviewed medical literature are discussed. Maintaining a position of "pro-choice" requires that practitioners also be given a right to exercise Hippocratic principles in accordance with their conscience.
Subject(s)
Abortion, Legal/statistics & numerical data , Gynecology , Obstetrics , Female , Humans , PregnancyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether age is a risk factor for perioperative and postoperative complications. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case-control study of 120 women over age 79 (group 1) compared with 1,497 younger patients 50-79 (group 2) undergoing major elective gynecologic surgery. RESULTS: Mean length of stay was 4.8 days for group 1, compared with 3.8 for group 2 (P = .018). Patients hospitalized longer than 1 week was higher (P < .01) among group 1. There were statistically significant increases in UTI, psychiatric events, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, sepsis, and hypovolemic shock. No significant difference in mortality rate was noted (group 1: 0.83%, n = 1 vs group 2: 0.47%, n = 7). CONCLUSION: Although length of stay for the elderly is slightly increased, mortality and complication rates are comparable to younger patients with few exceptions. We conclude that age need not be the sole determinant in the decision to undergo major elective gynecologic surgery.
Subject(s)
Female Urogenital Diseases/surgery , Gynecologic Surgical Procedures , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cellulitis/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Elective Surgical Procedures , Female , Female Urogenital Diseases/epidemiology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology , Humans , Hysterectomy , Laparotomy , Length of Stay , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Shock/epidemiology , Thromboembolism/epidemiology , Treatment Outcome , Urinary Incontinence/surgery , Vulvar Diseases/surgeryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: In this study, the authors investigated sex preferences for gynecologists and surgeons among female patients, and explored potential contributing factors. METHODS: One hundred forty-six female patients were surveyed in a private practice office concerning their sex preferences and past obstetric/gynecologic care. For data comparisons, chi2 or Fisher exact tests were used. RESULTS: Gynecologist sex preferences were similar between male (30%), female (35%), and no sex preferences (35%). Patients who had a female obstetrician at their first delivery or began their gynecologic care with a female were more likely to prefer a female gynecologist. Multiparous patients were more likely to state no preference for a gynecologist. There were no statistical differences in sex preferences when patients were stratified by age, race, educational background, age of first gynecologist visit, or the age at their first delivery. About half of the patients (51%) stated that they preferred a male surgeon; only 3% preferred a female surgeon, and 46% stated they had no preference. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation demonstrated that women's preferences for a gynecologist were divided equally between preferring a male, a female, and having no preference. Our study did find, however, that about half of the female patients preferred a male surgeon.
