Reducing the morbidity of vacuum aspiration abortion.

This paper reports an analysis of the measures taken at Preterm, Inc, of Washington, DC, to reduce the incidence of complications of first trimester outpatient abortions. Data are presented on the 291 complications (40.0/1000) resulting from 7272 procedures performed during 1976. Forty-one women were hospitalized (5.6/1000). It has been our experience that routine use of ultrasonography when gestational age is unclear, careful examination of tissue especially when a small quantity is present and early use of reevacuation to diagnose and treat postabortal complications are essential in reducing the incidence and severity of abortion complications.