Complications of abortion performed under local anesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence of complications of abortion performed under local anesthesia.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
A family planning center in the Paris area.


METHODS
Eight hundred and fifty-eight women admitted for abortion under local anesthesia.


METHODS
Incidence of immediate (the day of vacuum aspiration) and delayed complications (at the follow-up visit 2 weeks after the procedure).


RESULTS
Among the 858 women who underwent vacuum aspiration, 683 (80%) attended the follow-up visit 2 weeks after the procedure. Fifty-nine percent of the 858 women had not had a previous abortion, 25% had had one, and 16% had had two or more. The average duration of amenorrhea was 8.6 weeks (19% at 6 or 7 weeks, 67% between 8 and 10 weeks, and 14% after 10 weeks). The overall complication rate was 3.4% (23/683) (95% CI=2.0-4.8%). The incidence of immediate complications was 1.7% (15/858) (0.8-2.6%) and that of delayed complications 1.2% (8/683) (0.4-2.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the safety and efficacy of abortion by vacuum aspiration under local anesthesia.
Thonneau
P
P
Family Planning Center, Colombes Hospital, France.
Fougeyrollas
B
B
Ducot
B
B
Boubilley
D
D
Dif
J
J
Lalande
M
M
Soulat
C
C
D000027:Abortion, Incomplete; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019535:Mycoplasma hominis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014619:Vacuum Curettage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology