Which condition in pregnant patients is characterized by cervical dilation and bleeding without complete passage of tissue?

Incomplete abortion is defined as a situation where there has been pregnancy loss resulting in cervical dilation and bleeding, but not all of the pregnancy tissue has been expelled from the uterus. This condition is characterized by the partial passage of fetal tissue, which may lead to continued cramping and heavy bleeding because the remaining tissue can cause ongoing complications or infection.

In the case of an incomplete abortion, patients may still show signs and symptoms of pregnancy, and upon examination or imaging, the retained tissue can often be visualized. This differentiates it from other forms of pregnancy loss where the entire contents of the uterus have been expelled or there is no dilation of the cervix present.

Other conditions, while they may also involve bleeding and cervical changes, typically represent different stages or complete outcomes of miscarriages. For instance, a threatened abortion indicates that there is a risk of miscarriage with a closed cervix, and a complete abortion signifies that all products of conception have been expelled. In contrast, an inevitable abortion implies that the loss of pregnancy is unavoidable with active bleeding and cervical dilation, but may not necessarily denote the incomplete passage of tissue.