Vacuum aspiration

Vacuuming as a means of removing the uterine contents, rather than the previous use of a hard metal curette, was pioneered in 1958 by Drs Wu Yuantai and Wu Xianzhen in China,[7] but their paper was only translated into English on the fiftieth anniversary of the study which would ultimately pave the way for this procedure becoming exceedingly common.

[1] In Canada, the method was pioneered and improved on by Henry Morgentaler, achieving a complication rate of 0.48% and no deaths in over 5,000 cases.

[15][16] Depending on the state of residence and local laws, two appointments and various other proceedings may be required if the vacuum aspiration is being used for therapeutic abortion.

[18] Both of these methods can create the same level of suction, and therefore are considered equivalent in terms of efficacy of treatment and safety.

The pump creates a vacuum and suction which empties uterine contents, which either enter a canister or the syringe.

[15] After a procedure for abortion or miscarriage treatment, the tissue removed from the uterus is examined for completeness to ensure that no products of conception are left behind.

[28] Manual vacuum aspiration has been found to have lower rates of incomplete evacuation and retained products of conception in the uterus.

[29] Sharp curettage has also been associated with Asherman's Syndrome, whereas vacuum aspiration has not been found to have this longer term complication.

Manual vacuum aspiration is the only surgical abortion procedure available earlier than the sixth week of pregnancy.

[15] Another complication is infection, usually caused by retained products of conception or introduction of vaginal flora (otherwise known as bacteria) into the uterus.

[15] Other complications occur at a rate of less than 1 per 100 procedures and include excessive blood loss, creating a hole through the cervix or uterus[19] (perforation) that may cause injury to other internal organs.