Vacuum aspiration

Suction-aspiration abortion is a form of abortion using aspiration. In this method, the clinician (usually a physician) may first use a local anesthetic called a "paracervical block" to numb the cervix. Then the clinician may use instruments called "dilators" to open the cervix, or sometimes medically induce dilation with drugs. (Manual vacuum aspiration, which can be used earlier in pregnancy than Electric vacuum aspiration, does not require cervical dilation or paracervical block.) After cervical dilation, a sterile tube is inserted into the uterus and attached to either an electric pump or a specialized syringe depending on whether the procedure is electric vacuum aspiration or manual vacuum aspiration respectively. The pump or syringe creates a gentle vacuum which empties uterine contents. The contents include the embryo or fetus as well as the decidua, chorionic villi, amniotic fluid, amniotic membrane and other tissue. A clinician may utilize a curette to ensure that all tissue was removed. Post-abortion care includes brief observation in a recovery area and a follow-up appointment approximately two weeks later.

Suction Aspiration is the most commonly used method of abortion in the world, especially when performed early in the pregnancy up to about 16 weeks. It is considered to be a non-invasive abortion, as surgery is not involved. Also, the 0.5% rate of infection is the lowest risk of infection out of any other surgical abortion^[1].

See also

• Manual vacuum aspiration
• Electric vacuum aspiration

References

1. ^ "Manual and vacuum aspiration for abortion". A-Z Health Guide from WebMD. Retrieved February 18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

• American Women's Services
• Planned Parenthood