ASSESSMENT OF EFFICACY OF ELECTRONIC VACUUM ASPIRATION WITH INTRAVENOUS ANALGESIA

Objective: To assess efficacy of elecrtonic vacuum aspiration in evacuation of retained product of conception with intravenous analgesia. Study Design: A prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Pakistan Naval Ship Shifa Hospital, Karachi Pakistan, from Jan to Jun 2018. Methodology: All patients who were intended to undergo Electronic Vacuum Aspiration due to retained products of conception, early fetal demise, septic induced abortions and molar (all upto 12 weeks of gestation) were enrolled in this study after obtaining informed consent. Outcome measures of study were efficacy (defined as completeness of the evacuation procedure confirmed by ultrasound), occurrence of complications like uterine perforation, excessive bleeding >200ml and sepsis (diagnosed clinically or biochemically). Results: A total of 1080 patients underwent Electronic Vacuum Aspiration during the study period. Complete evacuation was achieved in 1026 (95%) cases. Four (<1%) patients experienced post procedure infection while none had uterine perforation. Average blood loss was <100ml while 18 (1.6%) patients had blood loss of >200ml. Conclusion: Electronic vacuum aspiration is a safe and efficacious method of uterine evacuation. It does not require special equipment. It is easy to learn and is readily available as well as cost effective. Hence it’s a very lucrative alternative to manual vacuum aspiration using I pass or medical termination of pregnancy in resource poor settings.