Outpatient termination of early pregnancies using syringe and plastic cannula.

ABSTRACT

PIP Experience with outpatient termination of early pregnancies (menstrual regulation) using a Milex cannula-curette is summarized. 543 women not more than 8 weeks pregnant were aborted with a 50-ml syringe and a Karman-type cannula-curette on an outpatient basis. Paracervical block analgesia and atropine were given intravenously during the procedure to minimize vagal reactions. .9% (n=5) of pregnancies were missed by the procedure, and 2.4% (n=13) of the procedures were incomplete. Only 1 instance of postoperative sequelae was found, and that was a pelvic infection. 4.9% of the women were not pregnant at the time of procedure, and the preoperative procedure was modified to include routine urine pregnancy testing before menstrual regulation to reduce the percentage of nongravid. The procedure was well-tolerated and inexpensive.^ieng