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TEAR OF THE CERVIX (Laceration)

Categories: Diseases of Women

This is a tear in the lower part of the
cervix. There may be one or more. The left one-sided tear is the usual

form. Next comes the tear on both sides (bilateral). Tears on front and

behind are not frequent. Tears are found in about thirty per cent of women

who have had children.



Causes. The majority of cases are caused by labor, and is due to a cervix

that is not perfectly dilated. Very hurried, quick labors ca
se it

sometimes, but the greatest injuries are due to the various operations for

delivering the child through a cervix that is not fully dilated.



Symptoms. Immediate and remote. On the immediate, when the tear is

severe, there is bleeding; later, sub-involution, that is, the womb does

not return to its normal size and weight.



Remote symptoms. Leucorrhea, thick and mucus in character; profuse

menstruation and inability to become pregnant. When the tear has extended

through the internal opening the woman win not be able to carry the child

to full term, even if she becomes pregnant.






Treatment. Tampons of ichthyol (ten per cent), mixed with glycerin,

introduced twice a week against the cervix and permitted to remain

forty-eight hours will often afford relief.



The tear should be repaired after child-birth, if possible. If not then,

and if it does not heal, it should be repaired later when the tear extends

through the internal (opening) or in case of extensive raw surface on the

cervix.



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