Uterine Perforations Post-Manual Vacuum Aspiration: A Time for Re-Training

Abstract

Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is the recommended surgical procedure for early miscarriages. Yet, its performance by unqualified and  inexperienced hands without minimal medical knowledge and skills in the societies of developing nations is not uncommon. This can  present some serious life threatening but preventable complications like uterine perforation with resultant intra-abdominal organ  injuries that require surgical intervention. General awareness and retraining may decrease unsafe practices and thus reduce maternal  morbidity and mortality. We present two cases of young multiparous women who underwent MVA for incomplete miscarriages, which  were complicated by anterior and multiple fundal uterine perforations and resultant gangrenous bowel evisceration and entrapment  respectively.