In the decade after the legalization of elective abortion by a Supreme Court decision in January 1973, suction curettage has been widely used and accepted as a safe outpatient procedure for first-trimester abortion. Evaluation of the patient for feasibility of the procedure requires careful assessment of gestational age and the determination of the absence of an ectopic pregnancy and conditions that might contraindicate local anesthesia. Counseling clarifies the patient's options and ensures her understanding of the implications of abortion so that she can give an informed consent. Suction curettage is performed under local anesthesia using a sterile plastic cannula or curette inserted through a progressively dilated cervix with aspiration of the uterine contents by an electric pump. The procedure is completed by the physician's examination of the aspirate for the presence of placental villi. Postoperative instructions include contraception and monitoring for hemorrhage and infection prior to a return visit in 10 to 14 days. Complications can be reduced by careful selection of patients with appropriate duration of pregnancy, the use of gentle operative technique, antibiotics for prophylaxis of infection, and a continued maintenance of experience and procedural skill by the physician.
1973年1月最高法院裁决使选择性堕胎合法化后的十年里，负压吸宫术已被广泛应用，并被公认为是一种安全的孕早期门诊堕胎手术。对患者进行该手术可行性评估时，需要仔细评估孕周，并确定不存在宫外孕以及不存在可能禁忌局部麻醉的情况。咨询可明确患者的选择，并确保她理解堕胎的影响，以便她能做出知情同意。负压吸宫术在局部麻醉下进行，使用无菌塑料套管或刮匙，通过逐渐扩张的宫颈插入，用电泵吸出子宫内容物。手术通过医生检查吸出物中是否存在胎盘绒毛来完成。术后指导包括避孕以及在10至14天复诊前监测出血和感染情况。通过仔细挑选孕周合适的患者、采用轻柔的手术技巧、使用抗生素预防感染以及医生持续保持经验和手术技能，可以减少并发症的发生。
