Uterine Evacuation using Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

SUMMARY

A retrospective study of patients undergoing manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital between 1st January 1995 and 31st December 1997 was conducted to determine their demographic characteristics and the features and safety of the MVA procedure.

Three hundred and twenty-one cases were analysed with a mean age of 36.4 ± 12 years and mean parity of 2. 05 ± 2.34. 87.7% of patients were married. MVA was performed for pregnancy-related indications in 48.6% and for endometrial biopsy in 47.1% of cases. 5mm and 6mm cannulae were used in 53.3% of the procedures.

The mean duration of the procedure was 5.4 ± 3.3minutes. Anaesthesia was not used in any of the procedures, but 4.4% of patients required pain relief or sedation. The complication rate was 0.9%

MVA at LUTH is a safe effective procedure for uterine evacuation by various cadres of healthcare providers being trained in the provision of postabortion care services. Niger Med J, 2001, Vol. 44(1): 17 - 20.

Keywords: Uterine Evacuation, MVA, Lagos - Nigeria.