gynecology and obstetrics
Septic Abortion
Key Points
Septic abortions usually result from use of nonsterile techniques for uterine evacuation after induced or spontaneous abortion; they are much more common after induced abortion procedures done by untrained clinicians using nonsterile techniques. Septic abortion could also arise from an incomplete abortion that was secondarily infected due to an open cervical os. Symptoms and signs (eg, chills, fever, vaginal discharge, peritonitis, vaginal bleeding) typically appear within 24 to 48 hours after an abortion. Patients could also present with severe unexplained pelvic or abdominal pain. If septic abortion is suspected, immediately begin treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics followed by prompt uterine evacuation; obtain blood cultures to guide antibiotic therapy. 