Two cases of intestinal perforation during dilatation and curettage in postpartum.

Lee, Mi Ra; Kim, Min Jeong; Jeon, Hye Ji; Choi, Sl A; Cho, Eun Kyu; Kim, Yun Sook; Bae, Dong Han

doi:2012.55.5.335

Obstet Gynecol Sci > Volume 55(5); 2012 > Article

Case Report

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2012;55(5):335-338.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.5.335 Published online May 16, 2012.

Two cases of intestinal perforation during dilatation and curettage in postpartum.

Mi Ra Lee, Min Jeong Kim, Hye Ji Jeon, Sl A Choi, Eun Kyu Cho, Yun Sook Kim, Dong Han Bae

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. drsook@schmc.ac.kr

Abstract

Dilatation and curettage (D&C) is one of the most frequently performed procedures for first trimester surgical abortion, also nonobstetric D&C can be performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic indications. The mortality and morbidity of D&C are very low, and perforation of uterus is rare. But curettage of a large, soft postpartum uterus can be a formidable undertaking because the risk of perforation is high and the procedure commonly results in increased rather than decreased bleeding. Although many perforations are innocuous, others lead to infection, hemorrhage, and trauma to abdominal contents. Bowel perforation is an infrequent complication, it persists as an important cause of peritonitis and sepsis. The following cases describe two women, who suffered intestinal perforation after D&C at delayed postpartum period.

Key Words: Intestinal perforation, Uterine perforation, Dilatation and curettage, Postpartum