Minor & bedside proceduresFree in the app
Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA)
Outpatient uterine evacuation under local anaesthetic, up to ~12 weeks.
Source: NICE NG126 · IpasThe kit
| Aspirator | 60 ml syringe — creates the vacuum. |
|---|---|
| Valve buttons | Closed = vacuum held; pressed = vacuum released into cannula. |
| Plunger arms | Lock the plunger back to hold vacuum. |
| Collar stop | Keeps plunger in the cylinder. |
| Cannulae | Flexible Karman 4–12 mm; size in mm ≈ weeks of pregnancy. |
Used for
Incomplete miscarriageMissed miscarriageRetained productsMolar pregnancyEndometrial biopsy
Steps
- Analgesia beforehand (NSAID ± misoprostol priming).
- Speculum; clean cervix; tenaculum on anterior lip.
- Paracervical block at 4 and 8 o’clock with 1% lidocaine.
- Dilate with plastic dilators.
- Charge aspirator: close valve, pull plunger until arms lock.
- Insert cannula just past internal os; attach aspirator.
- Press valve buttons; rotate 180° each way with gentle strokes.
- Empty and re-charge if the syringe fills.
- Stop when gritty, pink foam, uterus grips cannula.
- Float tissue in water to see villi; anti-D only if ≥12+0 weeks and RhD-negative; contraception.
A summary for trained clinicians. Always check the full guideline, the patient in front of you and your hospital's protocol. Spotted an error? Tell us.