2267 records of vacuum aspiration abortions performed at 7-17 weeks gestation were examined in search of a predictor for risk of synechia. 13 possible risk factors were identified and given possible weights of 1-5. A score of over 20 would be regarded as an indicator for hysteroscopy, which was carried out at the beginning of the 1st cycle after the 1st postabortal menstruation. Hysteroscopy was done on an ambulatory basis under local anesthesia with xylocaine. Hysteroscopy was indicated in 274 cases, or 12.1% of the total. The population at risk was found to comprise disproportionately women of parities higher than 3, with histories of abortion, undergoing abortions for pregnancies of over 10 weeks, in procedures lasting longer than 20 minutes. 206 of the 274 did not undergo hysteroscopy because of gynecological, psychological, or general contraindications, or failure of the patient to appear for follow-up. 73 hysteroscopies were carried out, 68 only because of a score over 20 and 5 on clinical grounds. Synechia was diagnosed in 30 cases, in 5 of which the condition was suspected. There were 12 failures in the 73 hysteroscopies, due to operator inexperience, pain, fibrous retraction of the cervix, or problems with the apparatus. Of the 73 hysteroscopies attempted, 12 faled, 31 were completely normal, 12 showed retention, of which 3 were associated with synechias, and 18 showed synechias. Cases of retention were treated with reaspiration and synechias by removal under hysteroscopy. If the predictive power of the test can be improved, it will allow diagosis and early treatment of postabortal synechias.