The Effect of Oxytocin on the Complication Rate of Early Therapeutic Abortions

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Abstract
The complication rate of early therapeutic abortions performed by curettage was studied in four series of patients. In the first series the complication rate was 71%. No or only a small dose of oxytocin was given. The second series was performed by one surgeon and 30 I.U. oxytocin were infused during surgery, resulting in only 11% complications. When the oxytocin drip was used by the entire staff the complication rate rose to 18% (third series). This rate was reduced to 12% when the curette was replaced by a suction device (fourth series). Oxytocin in a high enough dosage to cause contraction of the myometrium in early pregnancy drastically reduced the amount of bleeding during curettage. The number of infections was also reduced.

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