Vacuum aspiration
Suction-aspiration abortion is a form of abortion using aspiration. It is the most commonly used method of abortion in the world. Suction-aspiration abortion is considered to be a non-invasive procedure, as surgery is not involved. There are two forms of suction-aspiration abortion; electric vacuum aspiration, and manual vacuum aspiration.
Electric vacuum aspiration
Electric vacuum aspiration (EVA) uses an electric pump that creates suction.
EVA is typically used for pregnancies between 6 and 12 weeks, and is the most common abortion procedure performed during the first trimester. It is an outpatient procedure that generally takes 10 minutes.
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. After cervical dilation, a sterile cannula is inserted into the uterus and attached via tubing to an electric pump. The pump 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.
Manual vacuum aspiration
In manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is also known as mini-abortion, mini-suction, and pre-emptive abortion. It is technologically similar to menstrual extraction.
MVA is typically used for pregnancies between 3 to 7 weeks after a woman's last menstrual cycle. It is the only surgical method of abortion available before the sixth week of pregnancy. The procedure usually takes 10 minutes. The key to the development of MVA was the invention of the Karman cannula, a soft, flexible cannula that reduced the risks of puncturing the uterus. The cannula is attached to a specialized syringe and introduced through the cervical os to empty the uterine contents.
The procedure is 98% effective[1], and the rate of infection is the lowest out of any other surgical abortion at 0.5%[2].
MVA does not require electricity or expensive electrical machines, so it is cheaper and can be practiced in places without access to these. Because it can be performed in very early pregnancy, MVA does not require cervical dilation or paracervical block like EVA does.
Dr Jerry Edwards, a Texas physician, introduced a method that uses ultrasound, manual vacuum aspiration and hCG follow-up testing which not only allows abortion immediately after a positive pregnancy test, but also detects ectopic pregnancy before it is symptomatic.[3]
MVA is also used to terminate molar pregnancy. [4]
References
- ^ Baird, Traci L. and Flinn, Susan K. (2001) Manual Vacuum Aspiration: Expanding women's access to safe abortions services Retrieved 2006-02-18
- ^ "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) - ^ Method for early abortion. Am J. Obstet Gynecol, Vol 176, No 5, May 1997
- ^ "Managing complications in pregnancy and childbirth: A guide for doctors and midwives". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2006-09-14.
See also
External links
- American Women's Services
- Planned Parenthood
- Detailed description of MVA from World Health Organization, written for medical professionals
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