INTRODUCTION: Dilation and evacuation for intrauterine fetal demise has been associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared with dilation and evacuation for abortion. To date, this risk has not been well studied, and no clear recommendations exist for perioperative management. This study examines the complication rates after dilation and evacuation for each indication. METHODS: We conducted a matched, retrospective, double-cohort study of patients seen at San Francisco General Hospital Women's Options Center between 2009 and 2013. We abstracted data on patient characteristics and complications such as hemorrhage (estimated blood loss greater than 500 cc) and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy from charts. We also abstracted data for a gestational age-matched comparison group comprised of dilation and evacuations among women without intrauterine fetal demise. Unadjusted analyses were performed using Student's t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact or χ2 test for categorical variables. RESULTS: During the study period, 97 dilation and evacuations were done for patients with intrauterine fetal demise. To date, we have abstracted data on 50 (52%) intrauterine fetal demise cases and 50 matched, nonintrauterine fetal demise cases. Preliminary analyses indicate that estimated blood loss and complications did not differ between the two groups. Two intrauterine fetal demise cases experienced hemorrhage; one was diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and required transfusion. One nonintrauterine fetal demise case experienced hemorrhage without transfusion. We will complete data abstraction and analysis before presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate that dilation and evacuations for intrauterine fetal demise and nonintrauterine fetal demise cases may have no difference in complication risk. Final results are forthcoming and may help to inform perioperative management.