Complications Associated with First-trimester Surgical Abortion at Ain-Shams Maternity Hospital over the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017

Abstract

Background: First trimester surgical abortion is a common obstetric procedure with some known complications.Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of major complications of first trimester surgical abortion in Ain-Shams Maternity Hospital.Patients and Methods: Retrospective record-based case series in which records of patients who underwent first trimester surgical abortion in the period from January 1st, 2016 till December 31st, 2017 were examined.Results: A total of 1003 patients underwent first trimester surgical abortion. The overall major complication rate was 18.2%. There was a higher incidence of one or major complications in patients with previous abortions (P-value <0.002), valve replacement (P- value 0.001), missed and septic abortions, those requiring cervical dilatation, less hemoglobin, higher total leucocytic count, higher PTT.Conclusion: First trimester surgical abortion is a relatively safe procedure with hemorrhage being the most common complication.