Abstract
BACKGROUND: Uterine perforation is an infrequent but serious complication of dilation and evacuation (D&E). The purpose of this case report is to describe management strategies once a uterine perforation is identified. CASE: A 15-year-old female at 15 weeks’ gestation presented to a freestanding clinic for elective abortion. After serial cervical dilation, omentum was seen in the suction curette. The patient was transferred to a nearby hospital, and she underwent an exploratory laparotomy. A 1.5-cm anterior uterine perforation was found. The uterus was evacuated under direct visualization prior to repair of the defect. CONCLUSION: Uterine perforation during D&E often requires laparotomy to repair the defect and to evaluate for injury to adjacent organs. Evacuation can be completed transcervically under direct visualization or through the perforation site.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 254-256 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Journal of Reproductive Medicine |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Jun 2015 |
Keywords
- D and C
- Dilation and evacuation
- Induced abortion
- Laparotomy
- Pregnancy complications
- Uterine perforation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology