[Does Routine Pathology Evaluation of Uterine Content Following Evacuation for Abnormal Early Pregnancy Influence Further Management?]

Abstract

The aim was to determine usefulness of routine pathologic evaluation of uterine content after uterine evacuation following the diagnosis of abnormal early pregnancy. This retrospective descriptive study performed during a one-year period included all patients diagnosed with abnormal early pregnancy clinically or by ultrasound in the first trimester. All patients had uterine evacuation. During the study period, 335 women were diagnosed with abnormal early pregnancy and referred for uterine evacuation. Pathology results were available for 312 women included in the analysis. In 272 (87.2%) women, trophoblast tissue was found on examination and therefore intrauterine pregnancy was confirmed. In the remaining 40 patients, trophoblast was not found. In 10 (3.2%) patients, gestational trophoblastic disease was diagnosed, not being suspected on pre-evacuation assessment. In one patient, suspected molar pregnancy was excluded by pathology evaluation. Based on 51/312 (16.3 %) patients where pathology examination of uterine content influenced further management and treatment, we believe that routine pathology examination of uterine content after uterine evacuation in the fi rst trimester following abnormal early pregnancy is justifiable in clinical practice.