The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 2012
A prospective survey of cases of complications of induced abortion presenting to Goroka Hospital, Papua New Guinea, 2011.
Induced abortion on demand or for socio-economic indications is illegal in Papua New Guinea under the 1974 Criminal Code. Nevertheless, the procedure is known to be widely practised. ⋯ It was noted that abortion was most commonly induced using the synthetic prostaglandin analogue misoprostol. Although illegal induced abortion cannot be condoned, it appears that misoprostol, much safer in this context than mechanical or traditional herbal methods, is now being widely used for the purpose of induced abortion in Papua New Guinea, as it is in other developing countries.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 2012
Preoperative anaemia is common in patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery and is associated with a fivefold increased risk of transfusion.
To ascertain the incidence of preoperative anaemia in a cohort of patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery in a tertiary Australian hospital over a two-year period and to investigate whether it is associated with an increased rate of transfusion or complications. ⋯ This study demonstrates preoperative anaemia is common in women undergoing elective major gynaecological surgery and is associated with increased red cell transfusions. A system to detect and treat anaemia prior to surgery in these patients should be implemented, and interventions should be evaluated to ensure they are effective.