Blood Loss With Inhaled Anesthetic During First-Trimester Spontaneous Abortion Evacuation

Abstract

BMI, body mass index; ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists; NA, not applicable. Data are mean6SD, n (%), or median (range) unless otherwise specified. * Two patients were missing BMI. † Administered uterotonics included methylergonovine, carboprost, and misoprostol.

Pain Management in Abortion Care

“…A possible abortion-specific risk exists for older halogenated agents such as halothane and isoflurane, which have been associated with increased blood loss during C-section, presumably due to uterine relaxation 3 . The use of newer inhaled agents such as sevoflurane is also associated with higher estimated blood loss and need for uterotonics in first-trimester procedures 28 . For patients requiring general anesthesia for procedural abortion, RCOG recommends that providers avoid halogenated gases and preferentially use short-acting opioids and propofol 29…”

“…3 The use of newer inhaled agents such as sevoflurane is also associated with higher estimated blood loss and need for uterotonics in firsttrimester procedures. 28 For patients requiring general anesthesia for procedural abortion, RCOG recommends that providers avoid halogenated gases and preferentially use short-acting opioids and propofol. 29 The safety of offering deep sedation during abortion procedures without routine endotracheal intubation is well-established in both the family planning and anesthesia literature.…”