ABSTRACT
Surgical techniques are used in 88% of abortions undertaken on UK residents. Of these, 92% are managed by vacuum aspiration termination (VAT) and the rest at later gestations, by Dilatation and Evacuation (D&E) +/– VAT. In 2000, very few women were managed by hysterotomy or hysterectomy (n=26). Surgical uterine evacuation remains the mainstay of management for incomplete and missed miscarriage and usually involves a vacuum aspiration method (also known as ‘suction evacuation’). In this chapter, action plans are discussed for the management of significant complications associated with surgically emptying the uterus.
