Methods of terminating pregnancy and acute complications
Heisterberg, L.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 145(48): 3711-3715
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 6665882 Document Number: 197479
The main methods of pregnancy termination in the 1st trimester are vacuum aspiration (VA) and curettage (DC). The former method has practically replaced DC in Denmark. In addition, menstrual regulation (MR) may be employed as an early intervention prior to the 42nd day of the cycle. Other methods still in the experimental stage are prostaglandin administration (PG) administered extraamniotic (EA) or by vaginal suppository. During the 2nd trimester, intraamniotic (IA) PG administration is dominant in Denmark. Experience with EA PG in Denmark is limited. Intrauterine hypertonic saline is now rarely employed in Denmark while hysterotomy is most frequently employed when performed along with a simultaneous sterilization. Frequency of complications vary greatly because of the differences in definition and registration. Complications following the individual methods are observed with low frequency but comparative investigations are limited. Recent accounts indicate that mortality is 1-2/100,000 interventions with VA and DC and about 20%/100,000 in the case of intrauterine instillation. (author's modified)