MANAGEMENT OF SEPTIC CHEMICAL ABORTION WITH RENAL FAILURE - REPORT OF 5 CONSECUTIVE CASES WITH 5 SURVIVORS

The woman with complications of chemical abortion (often induced by soap or Lysol solution) is a prototype of the critically ill surgical patient. Usual mortality where hysterectomy is delayed or not done is 60%. 5 such patients, all with sepsis and uterine necrosis were treated by hysterectomy. All had renal failure, 4 required dialysis; 1 underwent diuresis after injection of ethacrynic acid. Major complications, in addition to renal failure, were pulmonary. 2 patients who had prophylactic vena-cava clips and ligation of ovarian veins escaped pulmonary complications. All patients survived without physiologic disturbances.