Vacuum aspiration of the uterine cavity involves surgical intervention, which allows, by creating negative pressure, to remove the contents of the named organ. Most often, the procedure is carried out for the purpose of artificial termination of pregnancy for up to 6 weeks. At a later date, suction aspiration is called a mini-abortion. Vacuum aspiration of the uterus is carried out by two methods, which we will discuss later in the article.
Manual
The procedure takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes. It is carried out in a clinic or medical office. During the procedure, local anesthesia is used, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen.
You may experience some bleeding, similar to your period, for a few weeks after surgery. After some time, it goes away on its own. Permissible holdingprocedures up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Method of implementation
The procedure is as follows:
- The patient is placed on the examination chair as in a normal pelvic examination, i.e. on her back with her feet on special ledges.
- The cervix and vagina are treated with an antiseptic solution.
- The cervix is anesthetized with a local anesthetic.
- If necessary, a special instrument is inserted to dilate the cervix. However, in most cases it is possible to do without it.
- A thin tube is inserted into the uterine cavity. Next, tissues from the uterine cavity are sucked up with a manual syringe. When they are removed, the uterus begins to contract. Many patients develop convulsions during the operation, but after the procedure, the convulsions disappear. Nausea, weakness, and increased sweating during suction aspiration are also possible. These symptoms, however, are mild compared to the machine procedure.
Machine
A day or a few hours before the procedure, a special osmotic dilator can be placed in the cervix to help open it a little. Before machine vacuum aspiration, the patient is given an antibiotic to prevent possible infections. Sometimes "misoprostol" is prescribed, which allows you to soften the cervix before the procedure.
How is the procedure carried out?
Duration of machine vacuum aspirationis up to 15 minutes. It, like manual, is carried out in a clinical setting or medical office as follows:
- The patient lies on the gynecological chair lying on her back, with her legs on special ledges.
- A speculum is inserted into her vagina.
- The cervix and vagina are treated with an antiseptic solution. And the cervix is also anesthetized.
- In some cases, a sedative is given intravenously or taken orally in addition to local anesthesia. "Vasopressin" or its equivalent slows the bleeding of the uterus. However, it can be mixed with an anesthetic. This will reduce blood loss.
- Uterine cervix is captured by a special device and fixed in one position.
- Next, the cervical canal opens. Its expansion minimizes the risk of cervical injury during vacuum aspiration.
- A tube (cannula) is inserted into the cavity, then a vacuum effect is created that sucks the uterine tissues. When they are removed, the uterus begins to contract. There may be convulsions that disappear after the tube is removed from the uterus. Sometimes there is nausea, weakness and sweating.
Tissue removed from the uterine cavity is examined and checked for complete removal during the procedure. If it is completely removed, the abortion is considered complete. In some cases, dilation and curettage may be required after suction aspiration. This is necessary ifnot all tissue was removed.
What kind of period should be after vacuum aspiration?
Cycle after treatment
When menstruation starts after this procedure - the first thing a woman should pay attention to. After all, they are evidence that the reproductive system is functioning normally.
It is believed that a new cycle will start from the day the intervention took place. This does not mean that menstruation will immediately come. The discharge that appears after the intervention is a sign of healing of the uterine mucosa. Normally, they correspond to the following parameters:
- Last 5 to 10 days.
- Contain blood and have a matching color.
- They are accompanied by slight pains similar to menstrual periods, they should stop in the first couple of days.
- Happen initially in small quantities and gradually run out.
This secretion should not have a bad smell, it does not cause itching or burning, and does not provoke a rise in temperature. All these signs mean the development of infection and require further therapy. When the recovery period is broken, the delay in normal periods can last up to six months.
If there are no additional problems of the rehabilitation period, then everything goes much faster. And critical days can begin as early as a month after vacuum aspiration. Allowable delay is 1.5-2 months.
Possible consequences
It is necessary to call a doctor immediately if the following are observedsymptoms:
- Profuse bleeding. Any type of abortion, whether surgical or medical, involves bleeding similar to menstruation. Abundant refers to the release of large (larger than a golf ball) clots that occur within two or more hours; using more than two pads in one hour; prolonged (more than 12 hours) heavy bleeding. After vacuum aspiration, the discharge should not be profuse and prolonged.
- Infectious disease. Accompanied by symptoms such as muscle and headache, dizziness, general malaise. It should be borne in mind that even a severe infection can pass without an increase in body temperature.
- Severe pain in the abdomen. At the same time, painkillers do not help, as well as warming and rest.
- Hot flashes and temperatures rising above 38 degrees.
- Bouts of vomiting lasting more than four hours.
- Swollen belly and palpitations.
- Increased intensity of vaginal discharge and the appearance of a strong odor.
- Swelling and soreness in the genital area.
When to go to the doctor?
An appointment should also be made if a patient observes the following after a recent abortion:
- Bleeding after vacuum aspiration lasting more than two weeks.
- Additional symptoms that occur while taking medications after the procedure.
- No menstrual bleeding for more than a month and a half.
- Depressive state.
Indications
Suction aspiration is allowed only in the first trimester of pregnancy. The procedure can be carried out:
- If necessary, induced therapeutic abortion.
- Due to failed medical abortion.
- In case of fetal death when spontaneous abortion was missed.
First trimester abortion is effective and relatively safe, with little chance of complications. There are quite a few cases where aspiration fails. As a rule, this option is possible in the first weeks of pregnancy. Only 3% of abortions performed before six weeks of pregnancy require a second procedure.
Complications
Minor complications after suction vacuum aspiration are:
- Injured lining of the uterine cervix or uterus.
- Infection caused by bacteria entering the uterus during the procedure. A similar situation can occur in the case of an untreated sexually transmitted disease. Signs of infection are fever, weakness, pain in the abdomen. Symptoms begin on the second or third day after the abortion. Antibiotics should be taken before and after suction to avoid infection.
But sometimes patients experience the following complications after vacuum aspiration of the uterine cavity:
- A hole in the uterine wall,which is formed when using a cervical dilator. Bleeding is minimal and there is no need to take special measures. If bleeding is a concern, a laparoscopic examination may be done to see if the bleeding has stopped.
- Tissue remaining in the uterine cavity. A similar situation manifests itself in the form of spasmodic pain in the abdomen and bleeding even a week after the procedure.
- Blood clots. Sometimes the uterus does not contract properly and does not expel all the tissues. In this case, the lumen in the uterine neck is blocked and prevents the exit of blood. This increases the size of the uterus, makes it painful and provokes abdominal pain, nausea and cramps.
In the last two cases, suction aspiration is repeated. At the same time, drugs are also taken that stop the bleeding. This removes the remaining blood clots and undistributed products of conception.
Ectopic pregnancy
In medical practice, there have been cases when, after vacuum aspiration of the uterine cavity, an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy occurred. That is, according to all indicators, the woman is pregnant, but the fertilized egg is outside the uterus. It turns out that suction aspiration in this case is ineffective and pregnancy continues after vacuum aspiration. Her signs are:
- Pain during intercourse.
- Pain in the pelvis and peritoneum, tending to increase.
- Bleeding.
- Dizziness and fainting due to blood loss.
