title: Second-trimester surgical abortion.
abstract: Surgical abortion in the second trimester became popularized in the 1970s, and now accounts for the majority of abortion procedures performed in this country. Dilation and evacuation is the most commonly used method in the second trimester, but dilation and curettage can be used with earlier gestations, and intact dilation and extraction accounts for a minority of later procedures. These various procedures will be addressed in detail. Other considerations such as preoperative and intraoperative use of ultrasound, use of uterotonics, pain management, appropriate location for second-trimester abortion provision, and routine postoperative care will also be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center daggerAurora Medical Services, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. pragers@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Sarah Ward
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Prager
authors.forename: Deborah Jean
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Oyer
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004106:Dilatation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020883:Hysterotomy; D011182:Postoperative Care; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014619:Vacuum Curettage
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants