SEPTIC
Anish Dhakal
(Aryan)
Introduction
 Abortion: the spontaneous or induced
termination of pregnancy before fetal viability
 WHO: Expulsion or extraction from its mother
of an embryo or fetus weighing 500g or less
when it is not capable of independent survival
2
Two types
 Spontaneous
 Threatened
 Inevitable
 Complete
 Incomplete
 Missed
 Septic- less
common
 Induced
 Legal
 Illegal (unsafe)
 Septic-common
3
4
Septic Abortion
 Any abortion associated with clinical
evidences of infection of the uterus and its
contents is called septic abortion
 Abortion usually considered septic if:
 rise of temperature of at least 100.4°F (38°C) for
24 hours or more
 offensive or purulent vaginal discharge
 other evidences of pelvic infection such as lower
abdominal pain and tenderness
5
Incidence
 10% of abortions requiring admission to
hospital are septic
 Most of them are associated with incomplete
abortion
 Majority of cases the infection occur following
illegally induced abortion
 Can also occur following spontaneous abortion
6
Association of sepsis in illegally
induced abortions
 Proper antiseptic and asepsis are not taken
 Incomplete evacuation
 Inadvertent injury to the genital organs and
adjacent structures, particularly the bowels
7
Mode of infection
 Microorganism involved are normal vaginal
floraAnaerobes Aerobes
Bacteroides group
(fragilis)
Escherichia coli ,
Klebsiella
Anaerobic Streptococci Staphylococcus,
methicillin resistant
staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA)
Clostridium welchii Pseudomonas
Tetanus bacillus Group A beta Hemolytic
Streptococcus
8
Pathology
 In 80% of the cases; organisms are
endogenous in origin.
 Infection is localized to the conceptus
 No myometrial involvement
 In 15 % cases
 Infection produce localised endomyometritis
 In 5 % cases
 Generalized peritonitis and/or endotoxic shock
 Severe necrotizing infections and toxic shock
syndrome caused by group A streptococcus-
S. pyogenes
9
Clinical Features
Depends on severity and extent of infection
 Sick & anxious
 Temperature > 38°C
 Chills and Rigor (S/0 Bacteremia)
 Hypothermia < 36°C (S/0 Endotoxic shock)
 Persistent tachycardia ≥ 90 bpm
 Tachypnea >20/min
 Impaired mental state
 Abdominal or chest pain
 Diarrhea & vomiting
 Renal angle tenderness
10
 Pelvic examination
 Offensive purulent vaginal discharge
 Uterine tenderness
 Boggy feel in Pouch of Douglas (Pelvic Abscess)
11
Clinical grading
 Grade–I: The infection is localized in the
uterus
 Grade–II: The infection spreads beyond the
uterus to the parametrium, tubes and ovaries
or pelvic peritoneum
 Grade–III: Generalized peritonitis and/or
endotoxic shock or jaundice or acute renal
failure.
 almost always associated with illegal induced
12
Investigations
Routine investigations:
 Cervical or high vaginal swab for
 culture in aerobic and anaerobic media
 sensitivity of the microorganisms to antibiotics
 smear for Gram stain
 Blood- Hb, TC, ABO, Rh
 Urine analysis and culture
13
Special Investigations
 Ultrasonography of pelvis and abdomen:
 Intrauterine retained product of conception
 Physometra
 Foreign body (intrauterine or intra-abdominal)
 Free fluid in peritoneal cavity or pouch of Douglas
 Blood:
 Culture: if associated with chills & rigors
 Serum electrolyte, C- reactive proteins, serum
lactate
 Coagulation profile
 Plain X ray:
 Abdomen: suspected of bowel injury
 Chest: Pulmonary complications (Atelectasis)
14
Complications
 Immediate:
 Hemorrhage- abortion process or injury inflicted
during the interference
 Injury to the uterus and also to the adjacent
structures particularly gut
 Spread of infection leads to:
 Generalized peritonitis
 the uterine tubes
 perforation of the uterus
 bursting of the micro abscess in the uterine wall
 Injury to the gut
15
 Endotoxic shock—mostly due to E. coli or Cl.
welchii infection
 Acute renal failure—patchy cortical necrosis
or acute tubular necrosis Cl. Welchii
 Thrombophlebitis
16
Remote
 The remote complications include
 Chronic debility
 Chronic pelvic pain and backache
 Dyspareunia
 Ectopic pregnancy
 Secondary infertility due to tubal blockage and
 Emotional depression
17
Prevention
 To boost up family planning acceptance to
prevent unwanted pregnancy
 To take antiseptic and aseptic precautions
(internal examination or operation)
 Encourage abortion in legally practicing
institutes only
18
Management
 General Management
 Grading Management
19
General Management
 Hospitalization
 Vaginal/Cervical swab
 Vaginal Examination
 Overall assessement
 Investigation protocols
20
Principle of Management
 To control sepsis.
 To remove the source of infection.
 To give supportive therapy.
 (In order to bring back to normal homeostatic &
cellular metabolism)
 To assess the response of treatment.
21
Grading Management
 Grade I:
 Drugs:
 Antibiotics
 Prophylactic Antigas gangrene serum
 8000 units and 3000 units of Antitetanus serum IM
 Analgesics & Sedatives
 Blood transfusion.
 Evacuation of uterus: Excess of bleeding is an
indication
22
 Antimicrobial Therapy:
 Piperacillin-Tazobactam or
Carbapenem+Clindamycin (IV)- broadest
range of microbial coverage
 Piperacillin-tazobactam & carbapenems
 Vancomycin or teicoplanin
 Clindamycin
 Gentamycin (3-5 mg/kg– single dose)
 Co- amoxiclav
 Metronidazole
23
Grading Management
 Grade II:
 Drugs:
 Antibiotics
 Prophylactic Antigas gangrene serum
 Analgesics & Sedatives
 Blood transfusion more needed than in Grade I.
 Clinical monitoring: Note pulse
 Respiration
 Temperature
 Urinary output
 Progress of pain, tenderness
 mass in lower abdomen
 CVP greater than 8 mm Hg
24
Grading Management
 Grade II:
 a) Evacuation of the uterus:
 Evacuation withheld for at least 48 hrs.
 When infection is controlled and localized.
 But excessive bleeding is an indication.
 b) Posterior colpotomy:
 If infection localized in POD, pelvic abscess formed.
 Causes Spiky rise in temperature
 Rectal tenesmus
 Boggy mass felt through post. fornix
25
Grading Management
 Grade III:
 Antibiotics as in Grade I & II.
 Clinical monitoring as in Grade II.
 Supportive therapy: Treat generalized peritonitis
 By gastric suction
 Intravenous crystalloids infusion
 Management of Endotoxic shock/ Renal Failure
 Features of Organ Dysfuction carefully guarded.
 May need Intensive Care Unit Management
 Active Surgery
26
Tissue perfusion
Features of Organ Dysfunction
 Persistent hypotension (SBP < 90 mm Hg)
 PaO2 : <40 kPa
 Serum Lactate ≥ 4 mmol/L
 Oliguria
 Serum Creatinine > 44.2 umol/L
 Coagulation abnormalities (INR > 1.5)
 Thrombocytopenia
 Hyperbilirubinemia
27
CVS • Persistent Hypotension
• Persistent raised serum
lactate (≥ 4 mmol/L)
Respi • Pulmonary edema
• Mechanical Ventilation
• Airway protection
Renal • Renal Dialysis
Neurological • Impaired consciousness
Miscellaneous • Multiorgan failure
• Hypothermia
• Acidosis
Indication for ICU Management
28
Active Surgery
 Indications:
 Injury to uterus.
 Suspected injury to bowel.
 Presence of foreign body in abdomen
 Sonography/ Xray / felt through fornix on PV
 Unresponsive peritonitis s/o collection of pus.
 Septic shock/Oliguria not responding to
conservative treatment.
 Uterus too big to safely evacuated per
vaginum.
29
References
 Williams Textbook of Obstetrics, 24th edition
 DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics, 8th edition
30
31

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Septic Abortion

  • 2. Introduction  Abortion: the spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before fetal viability  WHO: Expulsion or extraction from its mother of an embryo or fetus weighing 500g or less when it is not capable of independent survival 2
  • 3. Two types  Spontaneous  Threatened  Inevitable  Complete  Incomplete  Missed  Septic- less common  Induced  Legal  Illegal (unsafe)  Septic-common 3
  • 4. 4
  • 5. Septic Abortion  Any abortion associated with clinical evidences of infection of the uterus and its contents is called septic abortion  Abortion usually considered septic if:  rise of temperature of at least 100.4°F (38°C) for 24 hours or more  offensive or purulent vaginal discharge  other evidences of pelvic infection such as lower abdominal pain and tenderness 5
  • 6. Incidence  10% of abortions requiring admission to hospital are septic  Most of them are associated with incomplete abortion  Majority of cases the infection occur following illegally induced abortion  Can also occur following spontaneous abortion 6
  • 7. Association of sepsis in illegally induced abortions  Proper antiseptic and asepsis are not taken  Incomplete evacuation  Inadvertent injury to the genital organs and adjacent structures, particularly the bowels 7
  • 8. Mode of infection  Microorganism involved are normal vaginal floraAnaerobes Aerobes Bacteroides group (fragilis) Escherichia coli , Klebsiella Anaerobic Streptococci Staphylococcus, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Clostridium welchii Pseudomonas Tetanus bacillus Group A beta Hemolytic Streptococcus 8
  • 9. Pathology  In 80% of the cases; organisms are endogenous in origin.  Infection is localized to the conceptus  No myometrial involvement  In 15 % cases  Infection produce localised endomyometritis  In 5 % cases  Generalized peritonitis and/or endotoxic shock  Severe necrotizing infections and toxic shock syndrome caused by group A streptococcus- S. pyogenes 9
  • 10. Clinical Features Depends on severity and extent of infection  Sick & anxious  Temperature > 38°C  Chills and Rigor (S/0 Bacteremia)  Hypothermia < 36°C (S/0 Endotoxic shock)  Persistent tachycardia ≥ 90 bpm  Tachypnea >20/min  Impaired mental state  Abdominal or chest pain  Diarrhea & vomiting  Renal angle tenderness 10
  • 11.  Pelvic examination  Offensive purulent vaginal discharge  Uterine tenderness  Boggy feel in Pouch of Douglas (Pelvic Abscess) 11
  • 12. Clinical grading  Grade–I: The infection is localized in the uterus  Grade–II: The infection spreads beyond the uterus to the parametrium, tubes and ovaries or pelvic peritoneum  Grade–III: Generalized peritonitis and/or endotoxic shock or jaundice or acute renal failure.  almost always associated with illegal induced 12
  • 13. Investigations Routine investigations:  Cervical or high vaginal swab for  culture in aerobic and anaerobic media  sensitivity of the microorganisms to antibiotics  smear for Gram stain  Blood- Hb, TC, ABO, Rh  Urine analysis and culture 13
  • 14. Special Investigations  Ultrasonography of pelvis and abdomen:  Intrauterine retained product of conception  Physometra  Foreign body (intrauterine or intra-abdominal)  Free fluid in peritoneal cavity or pouch of Douglas  Blood:  Culture: if associated with chills & rigors  Serum electrolyte, C- reactive proteins, serum lactate  Coagulation profile  Plain X ray:  Abdomen: suspected of bowel injury  Chest: Pulmonary complications (Atelectasis) 14
  • 15. Complications  Immediate:  Hemorrhage- abortion process or injury inflicted during the interference  Injury to the uterus and also to the adjacent structures particularly gut  Spread of infection leads to:  Generalized peritonitis  the uterine tubes  perforation of the uterus  bursting of the micro abscess in the uterine wall  Injury to the gut 15
  • 16.  Endotoxic shock—mostly due to E. coli or Cl. welchii infection  Acute renal failure—patchy cortical necrosis or acute tubular necrosis Cl. Welchii  Thrombophlebitis 16
  • 17. Remote  The remote complications include  Chronic debility  Chronic pelvic pain and backache  Dyspareunia  Ectopic pregnancy  Secondary infertility due to tubal blockage and  Emotional depression 17
  • 18. Prevention  To boost up family planning acceptance to prevent unwanted pregnancy  To take antiseptic and aseptic precautions (internal examination or operation)  Encourage abortion in legally practicing institutes only 18
  • 19. Management  General Management  Grading Management 19
  • 20. General Management  Hospitalization  Vaginal/Cervical swab  Vaginal Examination  Overall assessement  Investigation protocols 20
  • 21. Principle of Management  To control sepsis.  To remove the source of infection.  To give supportive therapy.  (In order to bring back to normal homeostatic & cellular metabolism)  To assess the response of treatment. 21
  • 22. Grading Management  Grade I:  Drugs:  Antibiotics  Prophylactic Antigas gangrene serum  8000 units and 3000 units of Antitetanus serum IM  Analgesics & Sedatives  Blood transfusion.  Evacuation of uterus: Excess of bleeding is an indication 22
  • 23.  Antimicrobial Therapy:  Piperacillin-Tazobactam or Carbapenem+Clindamycin (IV)- broadest range of microbial coverage  Piperacillin-tazobactam & carbapenems  Vancomycin or teicoplanin  Clindamycin  Gentamycin (3-5 mg/kg– single dose)  Co- amoxiclav  Metronidazole 23
  • 24. Grading Management  Grade II:  Drugs:  Antibiotics  Prophylactic Antigas gangrene serum  Analgesics & Sedatives  Blood transfusion more needed than in Grade I.  Clinical monitoring: Note pulse  Respiration  Temperature  Urinary output  Progress of pain, tenderness  mass in lower abdomen  CVP greater than 8 mm Hg 24
  • 25. Grading Management  Grade II:  a) Evacuation of the uterus:  Evacuation withheld for at least 48 hrs.  When infection is controlled and localized.  But excessive bleeding is an indication.  b) Posterior colpotomy:  If infection localized in POD, pelvic abscess formed.  Causes Spiky rise in temperature  Rectal tenesmus  Boggy mass felt through post. fornix 25
  • 26. Grading Management  Grade III:  Antibiotics as in Grade I & II.  Clinical monitoring as in Grade II.  Supportive therapy: Treat generalized peritonitis  By gastric suction  Intravenous crystalloids infusion  Management of Endotoxic shock/ Renal Failure  Features of Organ Dysfuction carefully guarded.  May need Intensive Care Unit Management  Active Surgery 26
  • 27. Tissue perfusion Features of Organ Dysfunction  Persistent hypotension (SBP < 90 mm Hg)  PaO2 : <40 kPa  Serum Lactate ≥ 4 mmol/L  Oliguria  Serum Creatinine > 44.2 umol/L  Coagulation abnormalities (INR > 1.5)  Thrombocytopenia  Hyperbilirubinemia 27
  • 28. CVS • Persistent Hypotension • Persistent raised serum lactate (≥ 4 mmol/L) Respi • Pulmonary edema • Mechanical Ventilation • Airway protection Renal • Renal Dialysis Neurological • Impaired consciousness Miscellaneous • Multiorgan failure • Hypothermia • Acidosis Indication for ICU Management 28
  • 29. Active Surgery  Indications:  Injury to uterus.  Suspected injury to bowel.  Presence of foreign body in abdomen  Sonography/ Xray / felt through fornix on PV  Unresponsive peritonitis s/o collection of pus.  Septic shock/Oliguria not responding to conservative treatment.  Uterus too big to safely evacuated per vaginum. 29
  • 30. References  Williams Textbook of Obstetrics, 24th edition  DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics, 8th edition 30
  • 31. 31

Editor's Notes

  • #9: Gram-negative organisms are—E. coli, Pseudomonas, Bacteroides, etc. Gram-positive organisms are—Staphylococci, anaerobic Streptococci, Cl. welchii, Cl. tetani, etc.
  • #14: USG to detect intrauterine retained products of conception, physometra, foreign body—intrauterine or intra-abdominal, free fluid in the peritoneal cavity or in the pouch of Douglas.
  • #15: USG to detect intrauterine retained products of conception, physometra, foreign body—intrauterine or intra-abdominal, free fluid in the peritoneal cavity or in the pouch of Douglas.
  • #21: Hospitalization necessary for all septic cases Vaginal swab for culture drug sensitivity & gram stain Vaginal exam done to note state of abortion & extension of infection Investiga
  • #26: A colpotomy is a type of incision that is made in the back wall of the vagina. During a tubal ligation, your doctor can use a colpotomy (also known as a vaginotomy) as one of the ways to reach your fallopian tubes