Editing Intact dilation and extraction (section)

== Complications ==
The risks of intact D&E are similar to the risks of non-intact D&E and include postoperative infection, hemorrhage, or uterine injury. Overall, the complication rate is low, with rates of serious complications (those requiring blood transfusion, surgery, or hospital treatment) ranging from 0 per 1,000 cases to 2.94 per 1,000 cases. The rate of minor complications is approximately 50 in 1,000 (5%), the same as the minor complication rate for non-intact D&E; the rate of serious complications is higher in non-intact D&E.<ref name="naf" />

Data directly comparing the safety of non-intact to intact D&E are limited.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Prager|first1=Sarah Ward|last2=Oyer|first2=Deborah Jean|date=2009|title=Second-trimester surgical abortion|journal=Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology|volume=52|issue=2|pages=179–187|doi=10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181a2b43a|issn=1532-5520|pmid=19407524|s2cid=6805714}}</ref> There is no difference in postoperative blood loss or major complications when compared to non-intact D&E.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite journal|last1=Chasen|first1=Stephen T.|last2=Kalish|first2=Robin B.|last3=Gupta|first3=Meruka|last4=Kaufman|first4=Jane E.|last5=Rashbaum|first5=William K.|last6=Chervenak|first6=Frank A.|date=2004|title=Dilation and evacuation at >or=20 weeks: comparison of operative techniques|journal=American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology|volume=190|issue=5|pages=1180–1183|doi=10.1016/j.ajog.2003.12.034|issn=0002-9378|pmid=15167815}}</ref> There is no difference in risk of subsequent preterm delivery.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Chasen|first1=Stephen T.|last2=Kalish|first2=Robin B.|last3=Gupta|first3=Meruka|last4=Kaufman|first4=Jane|last5=Chervenak|first5=Frank A.|date=2005|title=Obstetric outcomes after surgical abortion at > or = 20 weeks' gestation|journal=American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology|volume=193|issue=3 Pt 2|pages=1161–1164|doi=10.1016/j.ajog.2005.05.078|issn=0002-9378|pmid=16157130}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/> The risk of retained tissue is lower since the fetus is removed intact.<ref name="naf4"/>

In some cases, the physician may not be able to remove the fetus intact due to anatomical limitations. This may present a psychological problem for the patient who wishes to view the remains, or make a comprehensive autopsy impossible, precluding an accurate postmortem diagnosis of fetal anomalies.<ref name="naf" />