Uterine perforation as a complication of surgical abortion causing small bowel obstruction: a review

A Diagnostic Conundrum - Small bowel obstruction from undiagnosed endometriosis following uterine perforation

INTRODUCTION

Uterine perforation is a rare but recognized complication from dilation and curettage, a common therapeutic procedure for obstetric complications and emergencies. Limited cases exist on endometriosis occurring following rupture. Additionally, there are no reported cases of uterine rupture secondary to dilation and curettage leading to new onset endometriosis first presenting as a small bowel obstruction (SBO).

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 42-year-old female with recurrent small bowel obstruction was found to have a stricture caused by endometriosis via diagnostic laparoscopy and pathology. Patient had a dilation and curettage for retained products of conception 11 years prior, complicated by uterine perforation. This patient never had a diagnosis of endometriosis prior to her SBO. Patient made an uneventful recovery after small bowel resection with resolving of SBO symptoms.

DISCUSSION

Our case highlights the possibility of endometriosis due to previous uterine rupture as a cause for SBO in an otherwise healthy, female patient of reproductive age. There is a continued need for appropriate documentation of surgical complications on patient charts as well as considering postoperative complications when other etiologies of SBO are less likely.

CONCLUSION

Endometriosis should be considered as a differential in reproductive aged women presenting with a small bowel obstruction, with an increased index of suspicion if the patient has had previous obstetric surgical procedures.

Uterine Perforation as a Complication of the Intrauterine Procedures Causing Omentum Incarceration: A Review

OBJECTIVE

Omentum involvement resulting from uterine perforation is a rare complication following intrauterine procedures that might require immediate intervention due to severe ischemic consequences. This review examines the prevalence of this complication, risk factors, the mode and timing of diagnosis, the proper management and the outcome.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, PubMed Central and Scopus using uterine perforation, D&C, abortion and omentum as keywords. The exclusion criteria included the presence of the uterus or placenta's malignancy and uterine perforation following delivery or caused by an intrauterine device.

RESULTS

The review included 11 articles from 133 screened papers. We identified 12 cases that three evaluators further analysed. We also present the case of a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with uterine perforation and omentum involvement. The patient underwent a hysteroscopic procedure with resectioning the protruding omentum into the uterine cavity, followed by intrauterine device insertion.

CONCLUSION

This paper highlights the importance of a comprehensive gynaecological evaluation following a D&C procedure that includes a thorough clinical examination and a detailed ultrasound assessment. Healthcare providers should not overlook the diagnosis of omentum involvement in the presence of a history of intrauterine procedures.

Small Bowel Prolapse a Rare Complication Following Unsafe Abortion

Small bowel prolapse through uterine perforation is a rare but severe complication of unsafe abortion. Early recognition of the bowel prolapse, aggressive resuscitation and prompt surgical intervention can reduce the morbidity and mortality related to these kinds of injuries. We present here a case of small intestine prolapse through uterine perforation following dilatation and curettage requiring intestinal resection. Efforts have to be made to reduce the number of unsafe abortions.

Rupture of Unscarred Uterus With Intestinal Prolapse From Vagina Following Criminal Abortion

A 21-year-old unmarried and primigravida female indulged in criminal abortion at 18 weeks of gestation with the help of a village midwife. Instrumentation was done, and it led to uterine perforation with prolapse of 200 cm of small bowel through vagina. She was managed with resection of 160 cm of necrotic small bowel, repair of the uterine defect, and end jejunostomy, which was anastomosed with distal ileum three months later. This case highlights the risks of illegal abortion and the primitive societal mindset that forces unmarried women to resort to such means.

Specific small bowel injuries due to prolapse through vaginal introitus after transvaginal instrumental gravid uterus perforation: a review

A small bowel prolapse through the vaginal introitus after a transvaginal instrumental gravid uterus perforation is a surgical emergency. To define the mechanisms of an irreversible, small bowel ischaemia due to small bowel prolapse through a vaginal introitus, ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar were searched. Out of the 81 articles screened, 28 cases of a small bowel evisceration through vaginal introitus were included. A small bowel obstruction severity grading was defined with risk factors; potential mechanisms of different severity grades after a transvaginal instrumental gravid uterine perforation with a vaginal evisceration. The duration of symptoms or a delay in the diagnosis did not change the incidence of the two most severe grades-mesenteric stripping and a small bowel degloving. Both obstruction types develop immediately during an instrumental abortion. The severity of obstruction does not influence the maternal outcome.

Low Socioeconomic Status Leading to Unsafe Abortion-related Complications: A Third-world Country Dilemma

Introduction An unsafe abortion is a persistent, preventable dilemma. It is a procedure where an unintended pregnancy is terminated either by untrained individuals, or in an environment not meeting medical standards, or both, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). It endangers women in developing countries, where abortion is restricted either by law and culture or legally permitted but not easily accessible. Induced abortions are usually performed by unqualified and untrained individuals or are self-induced. Such incidents take place in unhygienic conditions and involve inappropriate methods or administration of medications. Even if carried out by medical experts, a clandestine abortion carries an additional risk, medical coverage is not immediately available in an emergency and the woman may not receive appropriate post-abortion attention. Induced abortion-related complications happen and the woman may hesitate to seek medical care. Unsafe abortion-induced complications contribute a major burden, such as increased hospital stay, drug costs, and an unusual delay of other operations on gynecological services in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to seek an association between low socioeconomic status and complications related to unsafe abortion. Materials and methods A total of 296 female patients of child-bearing age presented between 2012 and 2015 in the emergency department (ED), Nishtar Hospital, Multan, after an unsafe abortion, were included. Spontaneous miscarriages and abortions cases carried out on legal or medical grounds were excluded. Patient or their attendants (who usually present the real picture of incidents leading towards unsafe abortion) were interviewed for determinants leading to unsafe abortion. A detailed clinical assessment of the patient was done and complications like hemorrhage, uterine perforation, and bowel perforation were recorded along with basic demographic information such as age, gestational age, parity, and weight. Results There were 296 female patients in the study with a mean age 28.391 ± 4.57 (Range: 13-40 years). In a majority of patients, gravida and parity were 5-6. The mean weight was 60.283 ± 9.31 kilograms and the mean gestational age was 7.733 ± 2.45 weeks. The determinant in the shape of poor economic status was 71.6%. Hemorrhage was seen in 30.1% of the patients followed by uterine perforation (49.3%) and bowel perforation (45.6%). Conclusion Our results indicate that unsafe abortion is a major cause of maternal morbidity, mostly because the service is being sought from untrained healthcare providers in unhygienic conditions secondary to poor socioeconomic status. Since maternal morbidity due to unsafe abortion is a violation of a woman's basic human right: the right to life, there is a dire need to prevent these unwanted complications by improving the quality of the family planning program and providing safe abortion services.

Isolated Mesenteric Injury causing Ileal Devascularisation with Uterine Perforation following Termination of Pregnancy; A Case Report and Literature Review

Surgical abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, constituting up to 20% of maternal deaths. Uterine perforation is a rare complication, accounting for4% of all the abortion related complications. Intestinal injury with uterine perforation following termination of pregnancy is even rare and is a potentially fatal complication with mortality of up to 10%. A 27-year-old G3P2L2 woman with 12 weeks of gestation referred to our hospital in hemorrhagic shock with a suspicion of uterine perforation following dilatation and curettage for termination of pregnancy. Patient underwent emergency laparotomy. She was found to have uterine perforation with mesenteric and ileal injuries intraoperatively. Perforation closure with ileoileal resection and anastomosis was done. Postoperatively the patient recovered completely. Prompt reporting/recognition of uterine perforation, preoperative resuscitation and early intervention are the most important steps in the management of patients with intestinal injury. Trauma surgeon should never hesitate or delay in considering an Emergency Laparotomy/laparoscopy in cases of suspected intestinal injury with uterine perforation. Emergency exploration decreases the morbidity and mortality to a great extent in patients with intestinal injury.

Standardizing the classification of abortion incidents: the Procedural Abortion Incident Reporting and Surveillance (PAIRS) Framework

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate standardized criteria for assessing abortion-related incidents (adverse events, morbidities, near misses) for first-trimester aspiration abortion procedures and to demonstrate the utility of a standardized framework [the Procedural Abortion Incident Reporting & Surveillance (PAIRS) Framework] for estimating serious abortion-related adverse events.

STUDY DESIGN

As part of a California-based study of early aspiration abortion provision conducted between 2007 and 2013, we developed and validated a standardized framework for defining and monitoring first-trimester (≤14weeks) aspiration abortion morbidity and adverse events using multiple methods: a literature review, framework criteria testing with empirical data, repeated expert reviews and data-based revisions to the framework.

RESULTS

The final framework distinguishes incidents resulting from procedural abortion care (adverse events) from morbidity related to pregnancy, the abortion process and other nonabortion related conditions. It further classifies incidents by diagnosis (confirmatory data, etiology, risk factors), management (treatment type and location), timing (immediate or delayed), seriousness (minor or major) and outcome. Empirical validation of the framework using data from 19,673 women receiving aspiration abortions revealed almost an equal proportion of total adverse events (n=205, 1.04%) and total abortion- or pregnancy-related morbidity (n=194, 0.99%). The majority of adverse events were due to retained products of conception (0.37%), failed attempted abortion (0.15%) and postabortion infection (0.17%). Serious or major adverse events were rare (n=11, 0.06%).

CONCLUSIONS

Distinguishing morbidity diagnoses from adverse events using a standardized, empirically tested framework confirms the very low frequency of serious adverse events related to clinic-based abortion care.

IMPLICATIONS

The PAIRS Framework provides a useful set of tools to systematically classify and monitor abortion-related incidents for first-trimester aspiration abortion procedures. Standardization will assist healthcare providers, researchers and policymakers to anticipate morbidity and prevent abortion adverse events, improve care metrics and enhance abortion quality.

Bleeding in the retroperitoneal space under the broad ligament as a result of uterine perforation after dilatation and curettage: Report of a case

Uterine perforation, a complication of dilation and curettage, is typically recognized immediately after the procedure by clinical symptoms of peritoneal irritation resulting from intraperitoneal bleeding. Our patient complained of having an uncomfortable feeling, slight dizziness, palpitation in the sitting position and abdominal discomfort but did not show signs of peritoneal irritation 24 h after dilation and curettage. However, she suddenly complained of abdominal pain. Tenderness and rebound tenderness were detected at the lower abdominal wall. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested uterine perforation. When the abdominal cavity was opened, a hematoma under the broad ligament of the uterus, laceration of the side wall of the uterine cervix and a small amount of bloody ascites and small clots in the abdominal cavity were observed. The uterine cervical wall was sutured. Physicians should postpone discharge and observe the clinical course carefully when a patient complains of inexplicable discomfort after dilation and curettage.

[Complications of termination of pregnancy]

The legalization of abortion in France allowed to disappear almost maternal deaths caused by induced abortions. Nevertheless, the practice of abortion in a medical framework is encumbered with a number of immediate complications. Similarly, the late consequences of the practice of surgical abortion have generated an abundant literature, which it is important to analyse, both to meet the legitimate concerns of patients as to prevent any spread of false ideas under the influence of movements opposed to abortion.

Vaginal evisceration as rare but a serious obstetric complication: A case series

Introduction

Gut prolapse through vagina is rare complication with only few cases reported in the literature. This article highlights untrained professionals induced obstetrical trauma as a cause of vaginal evisceration leading to serious but preventable complications.

Presentation of Case

Case 1: A 27 years old female, P₂L₀, had full term vaginal delivery of an IUD baby and presented 4 days later with small bowel evisceration through posterior vaginal wall. Case 2: A 24 years old female, P₁A₁ had underwent unsafe abortion and presented in shock, with small bowel evisceration through anterior uterine wall. Case 3: A 26 years female, P₂A₁, underwent evacuation for incomplete abortion and presented with omental prolapse through anterior uterine wall.

Discussion

Obstetrical trauma with associated evisceration of intraabdominal contents is a potentially serious complication that requires surgical intervention. General awareness may decrease these unsafe practices and thus would have impact in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Unusual Complication of Surgical Abortion with Pelvic Extrusion of Fetal Head: A Case Report

Unsafe abortion is one of the causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. The complications mostly results following unsafe abortion procedure done by unskilled provider with or without minimal medical knowledge in rural part of developing countries. These complications can endanger the life of mother if proper medical or surgical interventions are not offered in time. A majority of these complications remains confidential. The uterine perforation is one of the serious but preventable complications of surgical abortion. A 21-year-old woman G4P2L2A1, presented in the emergency ward with complaints of lower abdominal pain for four days after attempting twice surgical termination of pregnancy at 19 weeks of gestation for an unwanted pregnancy. Transabdominal sonography and MRI revealed uterine rent with pelvic extrusion of fetal head. Emergency laparotomy with removal of fetal head and uterine rent repair was done. This case illustrates the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion by the gynaecologist for uterine perforation in patient presenting with abdominal pain a few days after undergoing surgical abortion, also shows the complementary role of sonography and MRI in evaluation of the similar patient and this case also highlights the rampant illegal unsafe abortion procedure in rural India despite of legalization of abortion act.

Prolapse of the small intestine from the uterine perforation at dilatation and curettage

Dilatation and curettage (D&C) sometimes causes uterine perforation, which usually does not cause a serious problem. Here, we report uterine perforation caused by D&C, in which the small intestine prolapsed from the uterus, requiring intestinal resection. D&C was performed for missed abortion at 9 weeks. After dilating the cervix, forceps grasped tissue that, upon being pulled, resulted in the intestine being prolapsed into the vagina. Laparotomy revealed a perforation at the low anterior uterine wall, through which the ileum had prolapsed. The mesentery of the prolapsed ileum was completely detached and the ileum was necrotic, which was resected. The uterus and the intestine were reconstructed. Although intestinal prolapse is considered to be caused by “unsafe” D&C performed by inexperienced persons or even by nonphysicians in developing countries, this occurred in a tertiary center of a developed country. We must be aware that adverse events such as uterine perforation with intestinal prolapse can occur even during routine D&C.