There is no universally safe and effective method, which is applicable to all cases. However, the complications are much less (5%) if termination is done before 8 weeks by suction evacuation/curette. The complications are about 5 times more in mid trimester termination irrespective of the methods employed.

• Injury to the cervix and uterus (perforation in rare cases) leading to bleeding and shock.
• Bleeding and shock due to incomplete abortion or atonic uterus.
• Blood clot in leg veins (DVT) or embolism.
• Problems related to method employed:
  1. Saline – hypernatraemia (excess salt in the body), (DIC) Disseminated Intravascular Clotting.
  2. Prostaglandins – Intractable vomiting, diarrhea and injury to cervix/uterus.

LATE

• Gynecological complications include
  1. menstrual disturbance
  2. chronic PID - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease,
  3. infertility due to fallopian tube block and
  4. adhesions in the uterus leading to secondary amenorrhea.



• Obstetrical complications include
  1. recurrent mid-trimester abortion due to cervical incompetence,
  2. ectopic pregnancy (3-times more common),
  3. premature labor
  4. rupture uterus and
  5. Rh isoimmunization in Rh-negative women, if not prophylactically protected with immunoglobulin.

CONTINUED PREGNANCY FOLLOWING FAILURE OF MTP

Rarely, especially following suction evacuation or dilatation and evacuation, the pregnancy may continue, the pregnancy may be continued if the patient so desires. Ultrasonic evaluation of the fetal status is of help.