Suction v. conventional curettage in incomplete abortion. A randomised controlled trial

This randomised controlled trial of 357 patients who had had an incomplete abortion compared suction curettage with conventional curettage for evacuation of the uterus. The 179 patients undergoing suction curettage had a significantly lower intra-operative blood loss (P < 0.0001) and a significantly higher mean haemoglobin level at follow-up compared with the 178 patients who had conventional curettage. Suction curettage was a faster procedure and less painful. No difference was found between the two groups with regard to the incidence of post-abortal sepsis, or the re-evacuation rate. No problems were encountered with the use of suction curettage in the presence of uterine sepsis. In an era where blood transfusions should be kept to an absolute minimum, suction curettage will help to save blood in several ways.