PIP: At Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu abortion patients underwent suction curettage using either an electric pump unit (21, group A) or a simple water vacuum pump (WVSC) (28, group B). In both groups the use of the flexible 6 mm uterine curette and method of curettage were the same. For groups A and B the average blood losses were 40 ml and 39 ml. Average tissue volumes removed were 26 ml and 39 ml (greater yield reflects more patients at gestation of 9-10 weeks). From September 1971 to August 1972 400 patients of gestation of 10 weeks or less were curettaged using WVSC. Most of the operations were performed by first-year residents. Complications requiring readmission were not skewed towards largest gestations but distributed throughout the groups suggesting importance of individual technique in equipment use. The complications included retained products of conception (6), endometritis (2), endometritis with retained products of conception (3), and hermorrhage (1). Advantages of the WVSC unit are 1) quiet sound of running water rather than harsh sound of electric pump, 2) requirement of only a standard waterhead making method available to impoverished areas where electricity may be precious, 3) failsafe, unidirectional suction, 4) easy storage, transport, and assemblage, and 5) lack of need for safety pop-off valve because of intrinsic lag time from close of system to development of maximum suction. With its simplicity, safety, and flexibility WVSC is best suited for outpatients.