Vacuum Aspiration Abortion:

Vacuum Aspiration Abortion uses aspiration (suction) to remove the contents of the uterus through the cervix. As a method of induced abortion, the rate of infection is lower than any other surgical abortion procedure at 0.5%. Some sources may use the terms dilation and evacuation or "suction" dilation and curettage to refer to vacuum aspiration abortion, but those terms are normally used to refer to distinct procedures.

A Vacuum Aspiration Abortion is an outpatient procedure that generally involves a clinic visit of several hours, but the actual procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes. Typically, the clinician will first use a local anesthetic to numb the cervix. Then, the clinician may either use instruments called "dilators" to open the cervix or induce dilation with drugs. Once dilated, a sterile cannula is inserted into the uterus and attached via tubing to the pump. The pump creates a vacuum which empties the contents of the uterus.

Once the uterus has been emptied, the tissue removed from the uterus is examined for completeness. Expected contents include the embryo or fetus (arms, legs, torso, head, etc.) as well as the decidua, chorionic villi, amniotic fluid, amniotic membrane and other tissue. Afterward, the customer is usually kept under observation in a recovery area and a follow-up appointment is scheduled for approximately two weeks later.

When properly performed, a Vacuum Aspiration Abortion is 98% effective in removing all uterine contents. Any retained products of conception would require a second aspiration procedure, but this is rare. Complications involving left over body parts or other remains are more common when the procedure is performed very early in pregnancy, such as prior to 6 weeks gestational age. Other complications occur at a rate of less than 1%, but may include excessive blood loss, infection, injury to the cervix or uterus, and uterine adhesions.