[Analysis of hemorrhage or delayed postpartum involution of uterus and pathomorphological findings]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyse the histological findings among woman who underwent curettage during puerperium because of suspecting retained products of conception. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 patients staying at the I Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Warsaw in 1988-1998 because of suspicion of retained products of conception. Study group was divided into two subgroups depending on clinical symptoms such as haemorrhage or delayed postpartum involution of uterus. The first subgroup consisted of 20 woman who underwent curettage during their stay at the hospital between 3 and 11 day after birth. The second subgroup consisted of 30 woman who underwent curettage between 11 and 56 day after birth, they were than readmitted to the hospital. RESULTS: In the first subgroup retained placental fragments were found in 4 patients (20%), decidual tissue in 15 patients (75%) and fragments of myometrium and proliferative endometrium in 1 patient (5%). In the second subgroup, among 30 patients--placental tissue was obtained at curettage in 9 patients (30%), decidual tissue in 13 patients (43.3%), fragments of myometrium and proliferative endometrium were detected in 5 patients (16.7%) and endometritis in 3 patients (10%). CONCLUSION: Haemorrhage or delayed postpartum involution of uterus which is the indication to perform the curettage was in 26% patients the result of retained products of conception.