Surgical complications of abortions at periphery

Abstract

Objectives: To study the patients presented with catastrophic abdominal misadventure due to abortion performed by untrained birth attendants to get rid of unwanted fetus by un-indicated procedures in unfavorable circumstances. Design: Observational case series. Place and Duration of Study: Surgical Unit I, Sh. Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from July, 2001 to August, 2004. Patients and Methods: Forty patients from different age groups presented with this killer problem. Majority was concealing it. They were resuscitated, operated and managed postoperatively. Results: These patients presented late, suffered financial loss, morbidity and significant mortality. Conclusion: Unplanned abortions are catastrophic. Education of masses in regard to birth control is mandatory.