The evolution of abortion surgery from the initial era of metal curettes to today's aspiration shows the progress of medical technology and the emphasis on women's health. Today's aspiration technique is widely used for its safety and effectiveness, and has become one of the preferred methods to induce miscarriage or treat incomplete abortion. This article will explore the historical background and relevant clinical applications behind this shift.
Since it was first developed by Dr. Wu Yuantai and Wu Xianzhen in China in 1958, aspiration has gradually been recognized by the medical community as a safe abortion procedure.
In the past, surgery mainly relied on hard metal curettes to remove uterine contents. Not only is this approach inefficient, it can also lead to a variety of complications. As the 1970s progressed, the introduction of the Karman catheter greatly improved surgical safety and became an important milestone in aspiration.
Aspiration is widely used in various clinical scenarios, including induced abortion, treatment of incomplete abortion, and endometrial biopsy.
In many countries, the vast majority of first-trimester abortions use aspiration instead of the traditional dilation and curettage.
This method is commonly used because of its effectiveness and low complication rate compared to traditional dilation and curettage. In addition, the technical requirements of aspiration allow it to be performed earlier in pregnancy, which is a boon to women experiencing unintended pregnancies.
Aspiration is usually performed on an outpatient basis and is a relatively quick procedure, usually completed within 15 minutes. At the beginning of the procedure, the doctor usually uses a dilator to view the cervix and administers local anesthesia.
The doctor will insert a sterile catheter and remove the contents of the uterus through scientific suction technology.
This process not only improves the safety of the surgery, but also reduces the harm to the patient's body.
Compared with traditional metal curette surgery, aspiration brings significant medical advantages.
The complication rate of aspiration is less than 1%. The main complications include retained gestational sac and infection.
These advantages are not only reflected in medical safety, but also in overall treatment cost and accessibility, allowing more women to receive medical services quickly.
From metal curettes to today's aspiration, the history of abortion surgery shows how medical technology continues to advance to adapt to changing women's health needs. This change not only improves safety, but also changes many women's views on abortion. As technology develops, how will abortion surgeries evolve in the future?