MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Abortion

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Abortion - incomplete

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Illustrations Alternative names	Definition

Illustrations

Early pregnancy

Alternative names Return to top

Incomplete abortion

Definition Return to top

An abortion in which parts of the fetus or placental material is retained within the uterus. Typical symptoms include vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal cramping.

In most cases, a surgical intervention called curettage is performed to remove the remaining material from the uterus. The goal of this treatment is to prevent prolonged bleeding or infection. See also complete abortion, infected abortion, miscarriage.

Update Date: 1/13/2003

Updated by: Daniel Rein, M.D., Obstetrician and Gynecologist, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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