Septic Abortion

• may complicate abortion once cervix dilates, instruments used

Causes

• delay in evacuation > 48 hours

• surgical evacuation incomplete

• trauma

  • perforation

  • cervical tear

  • more likely in criminal abortion

Organisms

• Group B haemolytic streptococci

• anaerobic streptococci

• coliforms

• Clostridium welchii

• Bacteroides necrophorus

Treatment

• Cervical and high vaginal swabs

• broad spectrum antibiotic + anti-anaerobe

• curettage

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