Instrumentation abortions are commonly referred to as
"surgical" abortions. However, the use of the modifier "surgical"
is problematic. The term surgery has specific meanings within the context
of medicine as well as general parlance. Surgery implies piercing of
the skin, cutting, and incisions and is associated with the physician
population of surgeons. First trimester interventional techniques include
both electric vacuum aspiration (EVA) and manual vacuum aspiration (MVA). These procedures
are relatively simple and consistent with the scope of practice of most
advance practice clinicians and primary care physicians (non-surgeons)
who serve women of reproductive age. As aspiration abortion more accurately
reflects this family of first trimester abortion procedures, the phrase
"aspiration abortion" will be used throughout this website.
Reference: Weitz T, Foster A, Ellertson C, Grossman D, Stewart F. "Medical" and "surgical" abortion: Rethinking the modifiers. Contraception. 2004:69:77-78.
