RESUMO
PIP: The authors observed 2 groups of 14 patients undergoing voluntary interruption of pregnancy between the 7th-12th week. The 1st group underwent abortion by vacuum aspiration only; the 2nd group underwent abortion by vacuum aspiration followed by curettage. The hematochemical parameters and endometrial histological features observed after the operation showed, in the 1st group, trophoblastic residuals in 10 patients, causing high levels of human chorionic gonadotropins (HCG), and consequent delay in the return to normality of the uterus. In the 2nd group trophoblastic residuals were found in only 1 patient, and HCG levels were very low. These results show that vacuum aspiration followed by currettage is the best method to perform 1st trimester abortion.^ieng