Open AccessThe Effect of Oxytocin on the Complication Rate of Early Therapeutic Abortions
Author(s) -
Johansson Elof D. B.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016347009158043
Subject(s) - medicine , complication , oxytocin , curette , curettage , pregnancy , uterine contraction , surgery , case series , therapeutic abortion , obstetrics , anesthesia , abortion , uterus , genetics , alternative medicine , pathology , biology
Abstract. The complication rate of early therapeutic abortions performed by curettage was studied in four series of patients. In the first series the complication rate was 71%. No or only a small dose of oxytocin was given. The second series was performed by one surgeon and 30 I.U. oxytocin were infused during surgery, resulting in only 11% complications. When the oxytocin drip was used by the entire staff the complication rate rose to 18% (third series). This rate was reduced to 12% when the curette was replaced by a suction device (fourth series). Oxytocin in a high enough dosage to cause contraction of the myometrium in early pregnancy drastically reduced the amount of bleeding during curettage. The number of infections was also reduced.