Uterine perforation is a potential complication of any
intrauterine procedure. It may be associated with injury to surrounding blood vessels or viscera such as the
bladder
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine en ...
or
intestine
The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The GI tract contains all the major organs of the digestive system, in humans an ...
. If not diagnosed at the time of the procedure it can occasionally result in massive
hemorrhage
Bleeding, hemorrhage, haemorrhage or blood loss, is blood escaping from the circulatory system from damaged blood vessels. Bleeding can occur internally, or externally either through a natural opening such as the mouth, nose, ear, urethra, v ...
or
sepsis
Sepsis, formerly known as septicemia (septicaemia in British English) or blood poisoning, is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. This initial stage is follo ...
; however, the majority of uterine perforations are sub-clinical and safely resolve by themselves without treatment and do not cause any significant long-term damage. Risk factors include
cervical stenosis during trans-cervical procedures or decreased strength of the myometrial wall as in pregnancy or menopause.
utdol.com > Uterine perforation during gynecologic procedures
Author: Barbara S Levy, MD, PS. Retrieved on Feb 14, 2010
See also
* Uterine rupture
Uterine rupture is when the muscular wall of the uterus tears during pregnancy or childbirth. Symptoms, while classically including increased pain, vaginal bleeding, or a change in contractions, are not always present. Disability or death of the ...
References
External links
Injuries of abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine and pelvis
Acute pain
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