Dilation and evacuation

Dilation and evacuation
(D&E)
Background
Abortion type Surgical
First use 1970s
Gestation 13-24 weeks
Usage
UK: Eng. & Wales 5% (2005)
Infobox references

In methods of abortion, dilation and evacuation (D&E also sometimes called dilation and extraction) is the dilation of the cervix and surgical evacuation of the contents of the uterus. It is a method of abortion as well as a therapeutic procedure used after miscarriage to prevent infection by ensuring that the uterus is fully evacuated.[1][2]

In various health care centers it may be called by different names:

D&E normally refers to a specific second trimester procedure.[2] However, some sources use the term D&E to refer more generally to any procedure that involves the processes of dilation and evacuation, which includes the first trimester procedures of manual and electric vacuum aspiration.[1]

Reasons to use D&E

Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is one of the methods available for a second-trimester abortion. A D&E is done to completely remove all of the tissue in the uterus for an abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy.

A D&E is recommended for women diagnosed in the second trimester with a fetus that has severe medical problems or abnormalities.

A woman who is pregnant as a result of rape or incest may not confirm the pregnancy until the second trimester because of her emotional reaction to the traumatic cause of the pregnancy. A woman who doesn't have access to an affordable abortion specialist in her area or whose access is slowed by legal restrictions may take several weeks to have a planned abortion. When an abortion is delayed, a D&E may be necessary.[3]

Approximately 11% of induced abortions are performed in the second trimester. In 2002, there were an estimated 142,000 second-trimester abortions in the United States.[4] The second trimester of pregnancy begins at 13 weeks gestation. For first-trimester and early second-trimester abortions, the pregnancy may be ended by vacuum aspiration alone. Sometimes in the second trimester, however, it becomes necessary to use instruments to remove the fetus. This instrumental procedure is normally what is meant when the term dilation and evacuation is used.

Description

The first step in a D&E is to dilate the cervix. This is often begun about a day before the surgical procedure, and often involves the insertion of multiple laminaria sticks into the cervix. Enlarging the opening of the cervix enables surgical instruments such as a curette or forceps to be inserted into the uterus.[2]

The second step is to remove the fetus. Either a local anesthetic or general anesthesia is given to the woman. A cannula is passed into the uterus. The cannula is attached by tubing to a bottle and a pump that provides a vacuum to remove the fetus from the uterus. Forceps are inserted into the uterus through the vagina and used to extract any remaining body parts and tissue. This is more likely in pregnancies of 16 weeks or more. A curette is used to scrape the lining of the uterus and remove tissue in the uterus. Lastly, the vacuum is used to ensure removal of fetal body remains in the uterus (such fetal remains can cause serious infections in the woman). The pieces of the fetal body are also examined to ensure that the entire fetus was removed.[2]

Variations

The standard D&E procedure is difficult after 20 weeks gestational age due to the toughness of the fetal tissues.[5]

If the fetus is removed intact, the procedure is referred to as intact dilation and extraction by the American Medical Association,[6] and referred to as "intact dilation and evacuation" by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).[7] When this intact evacuation is done with a live fetus which dies midway through, it has also been termed a partial birth abortion.

Law

In 2015 Kansas became the first US state to ban the dilation and evacuation procedure for abortions.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Miscarriage". EBSCO Publishing Health Library. Brigham and Women's Hospital. January 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Dilation and evacuation (D&E) for abortion". Healthwise. WebMD. 2004-10-07. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  3. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/women/dilation-and-evacuation-de-for-abortion
  4. ↑ Guttmacher Institute: "Facts On Induced Abortion in the United States", May 2006. Accessed May 2006.
  5. ↑ Haskell, Martin (1992-09-13). "Dilation and Extraction for Late Second Trimester Abortion". National Abortion Federation Risk Management Seminar. Dallas, Texas. Archived from the original on September 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  6. ↑ Health and Ethics Policies of the AMA American Medical Association. H-5.982 Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  7. ↑ ACOG Statement on the US Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 (April 18, 2007). Retrieved 2007-04-22.
  8. ↑ Kansas governor signs nation's 1st ban on abortion procedure - Yahoo News. News.yahoo.com (2015-04-07). Retrieved on 2015-04-12.
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