[Management of post-abortum infections]. / Prise en charge des infections du post-abortum.

In countries where induced abortions are legal and medically supervised, the frequency of post-abortion infections is low and maternal death is infrequent. Nevertheless, short and long term consequences of post-abortion infections must be addressed. Sexually transmitted pathogens are frequently in cause here. Risk factors include in particular young age (less than 24 years), low socioeconomic level, late pregnancy, nulliparity, and history of previous untreated pelvic inflammatory disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and an inflammatory syndrome occurring within 2 to 3 weeks after spontaneous or induced abortion. A pelvic ultrasound is recommended in order to ensure the uterus vacuity and to look for a possible pelvic abscess, and bacteriological samples must be performed. Management consists in a regimen combining two antibiotics intravenously, with the possible addition of intravenous heparin in case of pelvic thrombophlebitis. Antibiotics can be discontinued 48 h of a clinical improvement and further treatment by oral route brings no benefit. Intrauterine retention associated with post-abortion endometritis must be addressed either by medical or surgical method.

[Management of post-partum infections]. / Prise en charge des infections du post-partum.

Post-partum endometritis are frequent and account for the fifth cause of maternal death. This disease is preventable and effective treatments are available. Streptococcus agalactiae is the primary pathogen implicated. The clinical diagnosis is usually easy and involves pelvic pain, fever and abnormal lochia. Whenever antibiotic treatment provides no clinical improvement, or in case of doubt on the vacuity of the uterus, an ultrasound exam must be performed. Likewise, a CT scan or a MRI will be performed in case of persistent fever in search of a pelvic abscess requiring a drainage, or of a pelvic thrombophlebitis. Thromboplebitis requires heparin for the duration of antibiotic therapy, or oral anticoagulants for at least 3 months in case of pulmonary embolism or extension to the vena cava. The recommended antibiotic regimen combines clindamycin with gentamicin (once daily) intravenously. In case of contraindication or breastfeeding, other regimens may be prescribed. Adequate duration of treatment has not been evaluated and a switch to oral antibiotics after clinical improvement brings no benefit. Antibioprophylaxy (mostly cephalosporins) is recommended in cases of cesarean section (at skin incision), while it is debated in case of assisted delivery or of 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears.