Abstract

PIP: Complications attending menstrual regulation, office suction and curettage abortion, and ambulatory hospital suction and curettage abortion are discussed and minimum criteria for outpatient abortion are sought. Guidelines established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for the performance of abortion are reiterated. Uterine perforation, pelvic infections, hemorrhage, and incomplete evacuation are complications which should not exceed usual hospital rates when abortion is performed in an office. The possibilities that dilatation of the cervix in abortion may result in an increased risk of future stillbirth deliveries and premature delivery, that secondary infertility can result from subclinical salpingitis or the development of intrauterine synechia, and that an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy may result from abortion are long-term complications that must be considered. Standards, preoperative procedures, equipment and operative technique, and postoperative procedures and considerations in menstrual regulation are presented. The usual procedures for office and hospital suction curettage abortion are presented and discussed.