Clinical test for placenta in 300 consecutive menstrual aspirations

Results of menstrual aspirations in 300 consecutive patients were analyzed. The infection rate (1.4%) and incomplete abortion rate (1.4%) were acceptably low. Results support previous recommendations that pregnancy tests be positive before aspiration, and that it should be restricted to women with 7 or fewer weeks of amenorrhea. A method is described of grossly assessing the aspirate for placenta along with a microscopic method when the gross test is questionable or negative. When hemorrhage occurs 3 to 6 days after aspiration, provided that the placenta was recognized grossly, curettage is usually unnecessary. With bed rest, bleeding subsides in 12 to 24 hours. The placental tests were found to by nearly 100% reliable and their use improves not only the practice of early abortion but also the diagnosis and management of suspected ectopic pregnancy and problematic situations in which tissue is passed vaginally.