Cervicovaginal fistula as a result of saline abortion

Abstract

A 17-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 0, last menstrual period January 14, 1971, was admitted on May 6, 1971, for a therapeutic abortion. The patient denied past history of pelvic infection, use of an intrauterine device, or cervical instrumentation. The only significant past history was the use of “hard drugs” up to six months prior to admission. Laboratory results were normal with the patient being Rh negative. The physical examination was unremarkable. The pelvic examination revealed that the uterus was compatible with 16 weeks’ gestation, and the cervix was nulliparous and without visible lesions. At 5 P.M. on May 6, 1971, 150 C.C. of normalappearing amniotic fluid was easily removed transabdominally on the initial attempt, and 200 C.C. of 20 per cent saline was injected without difficulty. Nineteen hours later, uterine contractions began, and 20 units of synthetic oxytocin was added to the 1,000 C.C. of DSW, infused at 125 C.C. per hour. The patient was medicated with meperiFig. 1.