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Early surgical abortion: efficacy and safety
Maureen E Paul1, Caroline M Mitchell, Angela J Rogers
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|August 24, 2002
Summary
Early surgical abortion is safe and effective, with a low failure rate. This study found complication rates comparable to medication abortion, supporting its use in community settings.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Gynecology
- Surgical Procedures
Background:
- Clinicians often delay surgical abortion due to concerns about higher failure rates.
- This practice leads to abortions being performed later in gestation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of early surgical abortions.
- To assess outcomes in a community-based setting with multiple physicians.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection from January 1998 to August 2000.
- Study included surgical abortions performed at less than 6 weeks of gestation.
- Outcomes analyzed using proportions with 95% confidence intervals and chi-squared tests.
Main Results:
- 1132 women underwent early surgical abortions; follow-up was available for 750 (66%).
- The failure rate for attempted abortions was 2.3% (95% CI, 1.4%-3.7%).
- 13 additional women experienced other complications.
Conclusions:
- Early surgical abortion is a safe and effective procedure.
- The complication rate requiring curettage was similar to that of mifepristone and misoprostol treatment.