The incidence of abdominal surgical procedures in a population undergoing abortion.

The incidence of abdominal surgical procedures was determined in 11,885 patients undergoing termination of pregnancy. Thirty-eight abdominal surgical procedures were completed, an incidence of 3.9 per 1,000 abortion cases. Seventy-two percent were completed for the diagnosis and management of coexistent genital pathologic conditions, with the remainder required for the management of abortion complications. These data provide patients an estimate of their chances of having to undergo abdominal surgical procedures, prior to their making a final decision to have a pregnancy terminated.