Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Morbidity and Mortality

  • Chapter
Second-Trimester Abortion

Abstract

Over the past decade, the availability of legal abortion in the United States has permitted compilation of data necessary to evaluate the relative safety of different methods of second-trimester abortion. Prior to this time, clinical recommendations regarding various abortion methods were based largely on foreign data. American reports on abortion were based either on the large numbers of complications observed after illegal abortions or from small series of legally induced “therapeutic” abortions performed on high-risk patients in hospitals. This situation often resulted in clinical recommendations which were based upon uncontrolled impressions rather than on rigorous scientific observations. For example, as recently as the 1960s, a standard textbook of gynecology advised hysterotomy for all abortions at ⩾ 13 weeks’ gestation, bedrest for four to seven days after abortion by curettage, and delay “for as long as possible” before a second attempt to empty a uterus completely.1

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. TeLinde RW: Operative Gynecology, 3rd ed, Philadelphia, JB Lippincott, 1962, p

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rothman KJ: Epidemiologic methods in clinical trials. Cancer 39:1771, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. World Health Organization Task Force on the Use of Prostaglandins for the Regulation of Fertility: Comparison of intraamniotic prostaglandin F2α and hypertonic saline for induction of second-trimester abortion. Br Med J. 1:1373, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bonchek LI: Are randomized trials appropriate for evaluating new operations? N Engl J Med. 301:44, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Miller ER, Wood JL, Andolsek L, et al: First trimester abortion by vacuum aspiration: interphysician variability. Int J Gynaecol. Obstet 16:144, 1978.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Andolsek L, Cheng M, Hren M, et al: The safety of local anesthesia and outpatient treatments: a controlled study of induced abortion by vacuum aspiration. Stud Fam Plann. 8:118, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tietze C, Lewit S: Joint Program for the Study of Abortion (JPSA): Early medical complications of legal abortion. Stud Fam Plann. 3:97, 1972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Brenner WE, Edelman DA: Dilatation and evacuation at 13 to 15 weeks’ gestation versus intraamniotic saline after 15 weeks’ gestation. Contraception 10:171, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Grimes DA, Schulz KF, Cates W Jr, et al: Midtrimester abortion by dilatation and evacuation: a safe and practical alternative. N Engl J Med. 296:1141, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Smith RG, Steinhoff PG, Palmore JA: Potential reduction of medical complications from induced abortions. Int J Gynaecol. Obstet. 15:337, 1978.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Stubblefield PG, Kayman DJ, Osorio-Burns L: Midtrimester abortion by dilatation and evacuation and by laminaria and prostaglandin F2α: Experience in a teaching hospital. Presented at the Postgraduate Course on Abortion, 16th annual meeting of the Association for Planned Parenthood Physicians, San Diego, October 24, 197

    Google Scholar 

  12. Cates W Jr, Schulz KF, Gold J, et al: Complications of surgical evacuation procedures for abortions after 12 weeks’ gestation, in Zatuchni GI, Sciarra JJ, Speidel JJ (eds): Pregnancy Termination: Procedures, Safety and New Developments Hagerstown, Md, Harper & Row, 1979, p 206.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bygdeman M: Comparison of efficacy and complications following administration of prostaglandin or hypertonic saline for termination of second trimester pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 52:424, 1978.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Grimes DA, Cates W Jr: The comparative efficacy and safety of intraamniotic prostaglandin F2α and hypertonic saline for second-trimester abortion: a review and critique.J Reprod Med. 22:248, 1979.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Grimes DA, Schulz KF, Cates W Jr, et al: Midtrimester abortion by intraamniotic prostaglandin F2α. Safer than saline? Obstet Gynecol. 49:612, 1977.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Tejuja S, Choudhury SD, Manchanda PK: Use of intra-and extraam-niotic prostaglandins for the termination of pregnancies—report of multicentric trial in India. Contraception 18:641, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Berger GS, Edelman DA: A clinical comparison of prostaglandin F2α and intraamniotic saline for induction of midtrimester abortion. Ann Chir Gynaecol. 66:55, 1977.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kee SH, Lean TH, Vengadasalam D, et al: The safety and efficacy of intraamniotic instillation of saline and 2 prostaglandin F2α dose schedules for midtrimester abortion. Presented at the VII Asian Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangkok, Thailand, November 20-25, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Robins J: A clinical comparison of intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2α and intra-amniotic hypertonic saline for mid-trimester pregnancy termination. Adv Plann Parent 13:27, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Pahl IR, Lundy LE: Experience with midtrimester abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 53:587, 1979.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Shulman H: Biologic obstacles to abortion, in Zatuchni GI, Sciarra JJ, Speidel JJ (eds): Pregnancy Termination: Procedures, Safety and New Developments. Hagerstown, Md, Harper & Row, 1979, p 2.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kerenyi T, Den T: Intraamniotic instillation of saline and prostaglandin for midtrimester abortion, in Zatuchni GI, Sciarra JJ, Speidel JJ (eds): Pregnancy Termination: Procedures, Safety and New Developments. Hagerstown, Md, Harper & Row, 1979, p 254.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Burkman RT Jr, Dubin N, King T: Use of hyperosmolar urea for elective abortion of midtrimester pregnancy, in Zatuchni GI, Sciarra JJ, Speidel JJ (eds): Pregnancy Termination: Procedures, Safety and New Developments. Hagerstown, Md, Harper & Row, 1979, p 261.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Cates W Jr, Rochat RW, Grimes DA, et al: Legalized abortion: effect on national trends of maternal and abortion-related mortality (1940–1976). Am J Obstet Gynecol. 132:211, 1978.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Cates W Jr, Tietze C: Standardized mortality rates associated with legal abortion: United States, 1972–1975. Fam Plann Perspect. 10:109, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Berger GS, Tietze C, Pakter J, et al: Maternal mortality associated with legal abortion in New York State: July 1, 1970-June 30, 1972. Obstet Gynecol. 43:315, 1974.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Cates W Jr, Grimes DA, Smith JC, et al: The risk of dying from legal abortion, United States, 1972–1975. Int J Gynaecol. Obstet 15:172, 1977.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Cates W Jr, Grimes DA, Haber RJ, et al: Abortion deaths associated with the use of prostaglandin F2α. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 127:219, 1977.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Edelman DA, Brenner WE, Mehta AC, et al: A comparative study of intra-amniotic saline and 2 prostaglandin F2α dose schedules for midtrimester abortion. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 125:188, 1976.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Bhatt RV, Pachauri S, Koshy E, et al: Midtrimester abortion with prostaglandin and hypertonic saline: A comparative study. Int J Gynaecol. Obstet 16:254, 1979.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Prema K: Studies on sequelae of induced abortion. ICMR Bull. 9(5): 1, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Cates W Jr, Grimes DA, Schulz KF, et al: Response to Indian Council of Medical Research studies of the safety of prostaglandin abortions. Contraception 22:103, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Grimes DA, Hulka JF, McCutchen ME: Midtrimester abortion by dilatation and evacuation versus intra-amniotic instillation of prostaglandin F2α: A randomized clinical trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 137:785, 1980.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Willard Cates Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David A. Grimes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Gary S. Berger MD, MSPH, FACOG William E. Brenner MD, FACOG Louis G. Keith MD, FACOG

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1981 Gary S. Berger, William E. Brenner and Loius G. Keith

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Cates, W., Grimes, D.A. (1981). Morbidity and Mortality. In: Berger, G.S., Brenner, W.E., Keith, L.G. (eds) Second-Trimester Abortion. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8293-2_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8293-2_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-8295-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-8293-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation