THE EFFECT OF PLACENTA PREVIA ON BLOOD-LOSS IN 2ND-TRIMESTER PREGNANCY TERMINATION

Objective: To determine whether placenta previa increases bleeding dur ing second-trimester pregnancy termination. Methods: The records of 13 1 consecutive women undergoing elective pregnancy termination at 13-24 weeks' gestation were reviewed and divided into those with and withou t placenta previa based on an ultrasound examination before the proced ure. These two groups were then compared for differences in maternal c haracteristics, estimated blood loss, operative time, infection, and h ospital admission. Results: Twenty-three of 131 women (17.6%) had plac enta previa. Sixty-seven percent of the previa patients smoked, versus 37% in the control group, a statistically significant difference. A s tatistical difference was noted with respect to placenta previa in int raoperative blood loss (P < .05), but not operative time, time to disc harge, infection, hemorrhage, or other complications. Conclusion: Seco nd-trimester pregnancy terminations in the presence of placenta previa are associated with a higher estimated blood loss, but no apparent in crease in abortion-related infection, postoperative transfusion requir ements, hysterectomy, or other complications.