RESUMO
PIP: Pelvic inflammations account for approximately 1/4 of the economic resources expended for maternity care in Chile. The use of IUDs has replaced abortion as the primary cause of pelvic inflammation. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing but have not yet become a major cause of pelvic inflammations. A retrospective study was conducted of women hospitalized for pelvic inflammations in the septic unit of a hospital in Santiago, Chile, in 1980-83. Among the 313 women admitted with a diagnosis of pelvic inflammation, ages ranged from 17 to 57 and averaged 30.4 years. 11.1% were nulligestes, 25.2% were primiparas, 55.5% were multiparas, and 7.9% were grand multiparas. 45 of the 313 reported an induced abortion prior to the pelvic complication. 126 women (40.2%) reported use of an IUD. 36 women had postpartum infections, and no risk factor was identified for the remainder. The major clinical symptoms were abdominal pain in 67.7%, fever in 48.5%, metrorrhagia in 14.0%, and palpable mass on gynecological examination in 52.3%. Sonography was performed in 92 cases and laparoscopy in 20. Use of laparoscopy increased greatly after the study period and has proven to be extremely valuable in diagnosis. 121 of the 313 patients were treated medically and 192 were treated medically and surgically. The average hospital stay was 8.8 days, with a maximum of 80 days and a minimum of 1 day. The admission diagnosis was incorrect in 138 cases and correct in 175. A purulent acute appendicitis was discovered in 1 patient with a presumed tubo-ovarian abscess. The mortality rate was 1.2%.^ieng
