Peritonitis following unsafe abortion: a retrospective study in a tertiary health facility in North Central Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: surgical complications following unsafe abortion (UA) are not uncommon and are associated with high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The commonest need for the general surgeon following UA is after a diagnosis of peritonitis which can occur following use of sharp objects introduced through the vagina. This study aims to highlight the presentation, management types and outcome of patients who presented with peritonitis following UA. METHODS: this study is a retrospective review of cases of peritonitis following UA seen over 4 years from January 2015 to December 2019 in a tertiary health facility in North Central Nigeria. RESULTS: a total of 14 patients with peritonitis following UA were included in the study. The mean age of patients who presented was 27.4 years (19-40 years) with a mean estimated gestational age at abortion of 7.8 weeks. The average time from the UA procedure till presentation at the hospital was 8.6 days. There were 9 bowel injuries and 5 pelvic abscesses. A total of 3/9 patients had primary resection and anastomosis while 6/9 had stoma formed as part of their management. Pelvic abscesses were drained. In patients with bowel injury, those who had primary anastomosis had a 100% incidence of enterocutaneous fistula formation with associated sepsis requiring repeat exploration and formation of stoma. Mortality in this group was 67% (2/3) compared to the 0% (0/6) mortality rate seen in patients who had stoma. The overall mortality was four out of fourteen patients (28.6%). CONCLUSION: peritonitis following UA is associated with marked morbidity and mortality as many of the patients present late. Initial preoperative resuscitation and stabilization should be followed by a swift laparotomy. Patients with bowel injury who had primary anastomosis had higher morbidity, reoperation rates and mortality than patients who had stomas.