title: New technologies permit safe abortion at less than six weeks' gestation and provide timely detection of ectopic gestation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The previously held dictum that elective abortion before 6 weeks' gestation carried greater risks than a later procedure was challenged by this protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study evaluated a protocol for abortion before the customary 6 weeks' gestation. Patients willing to return to the clinic within 72 hours were given the option of elective abortion even when no gestational sac could be visualized with transvaginal ultrasonography. When no chorionic membrane with villi was seen in the curettings, postoperative serum levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin confirmed complete evacuation or diagnosed ectopic pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 1530 abortion procedures at < 6 weeks' gestation by ultrasonographic criteria no serious complications occurred. In addition, 9 (0.67%) unsuspected ectopic pregnancies were diagnosed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abortion before 6 weeks' gestation is safe, given close surveillance. Early termination combined with vaginal ultrasonography and follow-up with beta-human chorionic gonadotropin measurements allows diagnosis of early, unsuspected ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy was found to be uncommon in women requesting early abortion.
authors.affiliation: Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas 77004, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human