Topic Overview

Vacuum aspiration is a surgical procedure used to remove molar pregnancy tissue from the uterus. This procedure uses a hollow tube (cannula) that is attached by tubing to a bottle and a pump, which provides a gentle vacuum.

After the cervix is opened, or dilated, the cannula is passed into the uterus, the pump is turned on, and the molar tissue is gently removed from the uterus. While suction is being applied, the wall of the uterus is usually scraped with a sharp instrument, or curette, to remove the molar tissue.

You will be given general anesthesia, so you are not awake during the procedure.

Medicine (such as oxytocin) is used during or after the procedure to make the uterus contract. Uterine contractions help the uterus shrink to its prepregnancy size and help stop uterine bleeding after the growth is removed.