Unreviewed Reports

Unreviewed Reports Risk of pregnancy while waiting for an operationCurrent anaesthetic practice at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, is to advise women to discontinue the contraceptive pill for three months before coming into hospital for a hypotensive anaesthetic, given for certain ear, nose, and throat operations.Over one year 21 women taking the contraceptive pill were given a date for surgery and asked to take alternative contraceptive precautions for the preceding three months.While awaiting surgery two became pregnant.One continued her pregnancy and the other had a termination.This small study suggests that our current practice (which may be similar in other units) should be reconsidered.