Comparison of Efficacy between Manual Vacuum Aspiration and Sharp Curettage for the Treatment of Incomplete Abortion

Abstract

Objective: To compare the pain scores, duration of procedures, estimated blood loss, rate of complete evacuation, uterine perforation, and levels of satisfaction between sharp curettage with manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for the treatment of incomplete abortion.

Study design: A randomized non-blind clinical trial

Setting: Khon Kaen Regional Hospital

Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients with incomplete abortion, gestational age up to 12 weeks were included and randomized into two groups according to the method of treatment: sharp curettage and MVA. The pain scores were assessed in 4 time period, the procedure time and other complications were also recorded.

Main outcome: Pain level and procedure time for evacuation of intrauterine conceptive products

Results: Mean pain scores at procedure and at discharge time for MVA versus sharp curettage were 6.39 vs 7.67 (p = 0.001) and 0.28 vs 1.00 (p = 0.01), respectively. The mean procedure duration of MVA was significantly shorter than sharp curettage group, 12.72 minutes and 15.67 minutes, respectively (p = 0.011). No significant difference of blood loss, hematocrit change, level of satisfaction between two groups. Rate of complete intrauterine evacuation was 94.4% for both groups. No uterine perforation was found in both procedures.

Conclusion: MVA is less painful, shorter duration and effective as sharp curettage for the treatment of incomplete abortion up to 12 weeks of gestation.