TREATMENT IN CASES OF RETENTION OF OVUM OR MEMBRANES.—These are by far the more trying conditions, and, unfortunately, the ones to which the physician is most frequently called. Aid is not summoned at an earlier stage on account of that dangerous underrating of abortion or for fear of unnecessary expense, and the position of the practitioner is made a trying one, as he is ignorant of the state of the case. Clots of blood have passed, but as to the precise conditions he is left in doubt; whether the membranes have ruptured, whether the ovum is expelled in whole or in part, he is not told. He may find the os closed; the size of the uterus reveals but little, as in many cases, at least those of spontaneous abortion, development is retarded; it is smaller than would be supposed at that period of gestation. It is only in case the uterus corresponds at least approximately in size to the time, or if the os be sufficiently dilated, that he can at once decide positively as to the presence of ovum or membranes.
A closed internal os may usually be looked upon as evidence that the retained masses, whether ovum or membranes, are adherent, though in case of sepsis more or less dilatation exists; yet in the latter case the indications afforded by those symptoms are of little importance, as the constitutional symptoms, with the character and odor of the discharge, clearly indicate the existing conditions, and consequently show the course to be pursued. No question exists as to the necessity of immediate delivery in these cases, but as to the manner of treatment in retention of ovum or membranes not disintegrating there is a wide difference of opinion: able men are still inclined to urge a reliance upon nature, yet it is a dangerous course for the practitioner to pursue: successful as it may prove in many cases, it is certainly fatal in some, and but too often followed by the insidious consequences so frequent in its tracks.
Labor at term may be left far more readily to the powers of nature than abortion: the former is a physiological process, the latter pathological. The expulsion of the ovum at term has been preceded by preparatory changes in maternal and foetal parts; the separation of the membranes is facilitated by the fatty degeneration of decidua serotina and vera; the hypertrophied uterine muscle is strained to its utmost, its fibres increased and strengthened for the ordeal, but in the early months no such conditions exist. Though expulsion has been anticipated and the preceding hemorrhage frequently serves to separate the structures, and development ceases with the death of the embryo, a retrograde metamorphosis is inaugurated only in certain cases, and then incomplete, and the frequency of intermittent abortion which we find in cases left to nature is evidence of incompetency to fulfil the task attempted: hemorrhage, more or less protracted, and contraction of the uterus cease; the ovum has been partially separated; its growth is checked, and then a retrograde metamorphosis is inaugurated in the tissues which have been in so active a state of development; this continues until a recurring menstrual period or excessive exercise brings about a renewal of the expulsive effort; and if sepsis has not taken place we usually find that the ovum is expelled with rapidity. When the attempt was first made, it proved ineffectual and the effort ceased; the tissues were impaired in their nutrition, underwent a fatty degeneration tending toward disintegration, and the second attempt of nature, with the parts properly prepared, terminates rapidly and effectually. Though the tendency of the profession at large seems toward a more expectant plan, guided by able authorities—such as Parvin, who urges attention to the old-time remedies, rest, time, and laudanum; and Leishman, who advocates this treatment when hemorrhage has stopped and the os is closed, perhaps aiding nature by the use of ergot—I would advise more active interference. It is indeed true that the ovum or some of its parts may remain in utero for months and then be expelled by a healthy effort of nature, without injury to the patient; but this is not the rule. I have seen such cases, but mostly the health of the patient is affected; even if more active symptoms, such as hemorrhage and sepsis, do not appear, subinvolution certainly follows. In cases less severe the patient is nervous, restless, suffers from insomnia, uterine colic, and occasional oozing; perhaps there is an offensive discharge,—all symptoms which are not sufficient to cause great anxiety, but we may with certainty expect them to result in serious inflammations of the uterus and surrounding tissues—metritis, thrombosis, cellulitis, endometritis, peritonitis; hence why should we wait? Why allow these dangerous membranes to remain, as claimed by some, "as long as no injurious effects appear"? Why wait for these more threatening symptoms when evil results are almost certain to follow upon the retention of such masses, even though hemorrhage and sepsis be at the time wanting? I have removed thoroughly healthy, semi-organized remnants as late as the fifth month after partial expulsion of the ovum; the patients were suffering no very serious inconvenience at the time, nor did any grave consequences directly follow; yet it would have been far better for them had decided steps been taken at the time of the inaugural flow; they were forced to seek advice in some instances by reason of uterine pains and oozing, in others by profuse and sudden hemorrhage; and, though decided injuries were not at the time evident, subinvolution and uterine displacement were certainly threatened.
Various periods are mentioned as preferable for interference. Some say that there is no need for alarm if the placenta remains in utero for twenty-four or forty-eight hours, provided the patient be under observation; but the os is liable to contract, always within a week, sometimes within forty-eight hours, after preliminary hemorrhage, and it certainly is unreasonable to allow complete contraction of the os and thorough cessation of the efforts of nature to take place, with the probability of evil results before us. If the physician is called at a time when the course of abortion seems retrogressive, the os closing, and he is uncertain as to the complete emptying of the uterine cavity, he should satisfy himself of the existing condition; and there is no reason whatever to the contrary in the present era of antiseptic gynecology. He should explore the uterine cavity, determine the state of affairs, and act accordingly. The proper course is clearly indicated: retained tissues should be removed, though it is difficult to formulate precisely the conditions by which action should be guided.
The circumstances permitting of interference and removal are a patulous os, an open cervical canal, and detachment of ovum or membranes: these existing, removal is easily accomplished, and should be undertaken even though no threatening symptoms be present. The indications which at all times determine and obligate immediate removal are—a putrid discharge, hemorrhage and constitutional symptoms, debility, fever or sepsis; then immediate removal is necessary at all hazards.
Though it does not appear advisable to remove the ovum, as urged by Fehling, at once, if the tampon fails after ten or twelve hours' trial, the physician must not wait until threatening local or constitutional symptoms appear, as various evils develop insidiously long before removal is so loudly called for. There are no conditions which could, by any possibility, contraindicate immediate interference if the indications above mentioned exist—not even inflammations, pelvic cellulitis, or fixation of the uterus, as is claimed by some. The limits of active interference being given by the above indications, the practitioner must determine by the greatly-varying symptoms of the individual case, as he does upon the proper time of applying the forceps in labor at term. If parts of the ovum remain in utero, they should be removed as irritating and dangerous; and a patulous os must necessarily lead the practitioner to infer the presence of such a mass; yet this is not a constant symptom: if the os is closed and the presence of membranes presumptive, he should dilate and satisfy himself as to the true state of affairs, dilatation with antiseptic precautions being entirely harmless. If remnants are found, the first step to their removal has already been accomplished in the diagnostic dilatation. This is best attained with the patient in complete narcosis and in proper position. The dorsal decubitus and Simon's speculum are preferable to the left-lateral semi-prone position, as we are better able to manipulate the uterus both externally and internally, especially to control the fundus. If the os be not too firmly contracted, the finger may be introduced when anæsthesia is established, and sufficient dilatation thus accomplished, or the scoop may be at once used without further preparation. If time is no object, the uterus is best dilated with a tupelo or carbolized sponge tent; where immediate action is indicated, the finger or steel dilator is best. Molesworth's instrument, even if ready for immediate action, is liable to dilate within the cervical and uterine cavity, remaining contracted at the point of greatest importance, the internal os. Incision with the knife, the splitting open of the cervix, is now recommended by German authors.
The tampon can be of service only where a larger mass is retained, not if the membranes alone remain. The use of the tent for the purpose of dilating is of advantage if introduced well into the uterine cavity, stimulating the muscle, so that expulsion frequently follows dilatation; but even then the curette should be used—the dull instrument—for a careful examination of the cavity. I have already stated the conditions indicating a resort to the sharp scoop, the Simon's or Sims's, or the dull curette, such as Munde's or my own. The wire loop of Thomas is too weak, and serves more for the removal of already loose masses than for the separation of the tissues, which I consider by far the most important. Where possible, it is always preferable to use the dull instrument for purposes of separation; and there is no better than Récamier's old instrument, or, in case of a large cavity, the broad blade of my own; both may be used without dilatation if the contraction of the os is not excessive. If firmer masses are found, as is frequently the case when the placental remnants have been retained for several months, Simon's sharp scoop is indicated, and the smaller size can be used without previous dilatation; the speculum is not necessary, but desirable, but for the effective handling of the instrument it is best that the patient be placed in the lithotomy position, upon the edge of the bed, the hips elevated, with a rubber cloth underneath. It is all-important that the movement of the scoop should be thoroughly controlled by the unengaged hand grasping the uterine fundus: this will serve to fix the organ well and prevent its escaping the instrument. Where the fundus is out of reach, as in retro-displacement, the Schroeder forceps, which is always of great service in bringing the uterus within reach, must be used. In case Récamier's or my own instrument is used, it is curved to adapt itself to the cavity, and, with one edge pressing firmly against the uterine wall toward the point of attachment of the membrane, it is carried around the entire space, so as to separate such adhesions as may exist, and the released membranes are then forced or pressed out with the instrument. In case the sharp spoon is used, it must be handled with great care, pressing firmly against, but not too deeply into, the uterine wall, and carried in regular parallel strokes from the fundus toward the internal os. After such manipulation the cavity should be well washed out with hot water containing from 2 to 5 per cent. of carbolic acid, bichloride of mercury, borax, or permanganate of potash, either with the ordinary syringe or Bozeman's catheter; after this the entire inner surface of the uterus is touched with carbolic acid, a little cotton wrapped upon the end of an applicator and saturated with the solution answering the purpose very well.
Hot water and carbolic acid usually suffice to thoroughly contract the organ; should this not be the case, should a flabby, atonic condition exist, it is well to place a tampon of iron cotton in the cavity. The applicator is loosely wrapped with cotton of sufficient thickness to fill the cavity; this is steeped in Monsel's solution or the perchloride of iron, the superabundant fluid expressed, and then introduced. Contraction is sure to follow, and the tampon is left in place for three or four days, when it will either be expelled by the action of the uterus or it will be found, coated with healthy pus, barely held in the grasp of the muscle, and can be removed by the slightest traction: no effort should be made, as it will remain firmly fixed until a healthy granulating surface is established. It may be kept in place by a tampon of cotton carbolated, or, better still, prepared with iodoform, which is always a desirable application after interference. Ergot should then invariably be given, either by hypodermic injection or per os—if the stomach is in good condition, a teaspoonful of the fluid extract every three hours during the first day.
Putrid discharge and septic symptoms unquestionably indicate immediate interference; the method, however, remains the same. In case of beginning putrid discharge without constitutional symptoms, the dull curette is greatly to be preferred to separate the sloughing tissue from the healthy uterine structure without injuring the latter; whilst if the uterine structure itself is affected, it is necessary to resort to the sharp spoon to thoroughly remove all that is diseased.
Constitutional treatment must, of course, follow the local measures above advocated. The danger of the sharp instrument, under these circumstances, is in the possibility of lacerating healthy tissues and opening new ways for infection. It can only be used if all diseased tissue is thoroughly removed and the operation followed by cauterization with pure carbolic acid and intra-uterine injection, that all remaining particles, however small, may be washed away.