Late vaginal induced abortion after a previous cesarean birth: potential for uterine rupture.

This descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the risk of uterine rupture in cases of late vaginal induced abortions among women with previous cesarean sections. 23 women were referred at a mean gestational age of 23.9 (SD 6.9) weeks of gestation after one or two cesarean sections. Indications for terminating the pregnancy were maternal diseases in 4 cases and fetal anomalies in 19 cases. RU 486 and/or prostaglandins were used for cervical ripening and to induce labor. Vaginal birth was obtained in 20 cases (86.9%) with an average duration of 72 (SD 52) h. Cesarean section was performed in the remaining 3 women because no cervical dilation could be obtained. One uterine rupture occurred and was treated with conservation of the uterus. Late termination of pregnancy in such cases can be achieved without cesarean section with a high success rate.