This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of surgical abortion using MVA under local anesthesia to terminate pregnancy up to 63 days’ gestation within a UK National Health Service setting.
Surgical abortion was carried out using MVA under local anesthesia. Women’s satisfaction with the procedure, and pain and anxiety levels, were assessed. The primary outcome measures were: feasibility assessed through successful completion of the process without general anesthetic or conversion to suction vacuum aspiration, efficacy assessed through complete uterine evacuation without further medical or surgical intervention, and women’s acceptability of the procedure.
The mean (SD) gestation was 50 days. A total of 55/56 women had a successful procedure and did not require any further surgical or medical treatment. Fifty-five women were satisfied with the system, 48 said they would recommend it to a friend, and 45 said they would have the same method again in the future. As reflected by the visual analog scales, anxiety levels showed a significant fall in anxiety scores following the procedure.
Surgical abortion using MVA under local anesthesia is useful and acceptable to women. These findings now need to be assessed in the context of a randomized trial.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/31/3/185
