Management of Pregnancy Loss in Theatre

NHS Borders clinical guidelines
NHS Borders

Scope

Including:

  • Surgical Termination of Pregnancy (STOP)
  • Surgical Management of Miscarriage (SMM)
  • Surgical Management of Ectopic Pregnancy

** ALL Tissue from pregnancy loss up to and including 23+6 weeks MUST include a photocopy of the Shared Cremation Form 2 (Sensitive Disposal Form).  Can be photocopied in theatre.

If pathology or cytogenic investigations are required, these request forms are included as described below.

Please be careful to check if a dry formalin filled pot should be used

Investigation & Indication

 Specimen Sample Pot Documentation Required

Specimen Destination (Location)

No Investigation Required

  • STOP
  • SMM

Dry Sterile universal container or pot placed in the small box, with labels:

  • Surgeon Name
  • Date
  • Theatre
  • Patient Label
  • Photo copy of Shared Cremation Form 2
  • Mortuary

 (Bleep the porter, if out of hours)

Pathology ONLY

(No indication for cytogenetics)

  • Ectopic pregnancy

Formalin containing pot, placed in the small box, with Labels:

  • Surgeon Name
  • Date
  • Theatre
  • Patient Label
  • Photocopy of Shared Cremation  Form 2

  • Pathology Form
  • Laboratory at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Hospital

They will send the specimen to the Mortuary after testing has been carried out.

Cytogenetics

 All cytogenetics specimens are also sent for Pathology

  • 3 or more miscarriages
  • Possible molar pregnancy

Dry pot, placed in the small box, with Labels:

  • Surgeon Name
  • Date
  • Theatre
  • Patient Label
  • Photocopy of Shared Cremation Form 2

  • Cytogenetic Foetal Loss Form

Cytogenetics WGH website- solid tissue referral form

Request Forms – South East Scotland Genetic Service

  • Pathology Form
  • Laboratory at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Hospital

All of the tissue is sent in a dry pot to the Pathology Lab in RIE.  The lab is responsible for dividing the specimen and send some to the Cytogenetics lab at the Western General Hospital (WGH).  This should not be done by the theatre team.

WGH will send the specimen to the Mortuary after testing has been carried out.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 01/11/2024

Next review date: 30/11/2027

Author(s): Darlow K, Blyth S.

Version: V1

Approved By: Gynaecological Team

Reviewer name(s): Darlow K.