Incomplete and inevitable abortion: treatment by suction curettage in the emergency department

Suction curettage for inevitable and incomplete spontaneous abortion has been performed by emergency physicians in the emergency department of the Central Group Health Hospital in Seattle for more than seven years. The equipment and techniques used in our practice are described, and guidelines for treatment are presented. Also presented is an analysis of 111 consecutive patients treated with suction curettage during an 18-month period with a minimum follow up of six months. The complication rate was minimal (4.5%), and compares favorably with previously published results of inpatient treatment. Several significant advantages of treating incomplete and inevitable abortion with suction curettage in the emergency department are described.