MANUAL VACUUM ASPIRATOR (MVA)- A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL CURETTAGE IN THE SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF 1ST TRIMESTER MISCARRIAGES

Objective: To compare the efficacy of manual vacuum aspiration and conventional evacuation & curettage (ENC) for first-trimester miscarriage management. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from October 2022 to March 2023 including 150 patients with first trimester miscarriage dividing them into two groups (MVA and ENC) having equal number of patients. Efficacy in both groups was compared. Results: The mean age in the MVA group (group A) was 27.81±6.31years while in the ENC group (group B) it was 26.50±6.27 years. The mean gestational age in group A was 5.82±2.82 weeks while in group B it was 5.95±2.9 weeks. MVA was effective in 88% of participants while ENC was effective in 93.33% of participants (p-value, 261), which is not statistically significant. Conclusion: Surgical uterine evacuation utilizing MVA under local anesthetic is safe and successful, and it should be considered to minimize a lengthy hospital stay. MVA can be a viable alternative to surgical curettage like ENC. It is safe, cost-effective, and simple to conduct, eliminating general anesthetic, the requirement for theatre access, and an unnecessary hospital stay. Keywords: Manual Vacuum Aspiration, Evacuation, Curettage, miscarriage, efficacy.