Induced abortion by the suction method. An analysis of complication rates.

3036 induced abortions from the years 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 were analysed. They included all abortions performed with the suction method at Akershus Central Hospital, except for those done in combination with a sterilization procedure. The main determinants of complication rates were parity, period of gestation and, for minor complications, whether the patient was treated as an in-patient or an out-patient. Women who had not previously given birth had a higher complication rate than parous women. Complication rates were lowest during weeks 7-10. Out-patients had fewer readmissions, repeat curettages, and infections, than in-patients. There was a tendency to cause a larger dilatation of the cervical canal than was technically necessary.