A dismemberment abortion—also known as a dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion—is an abortion in which a person dismembers and extracts the unborn child from the uterus through the use of clamps, grasping forceps, tongs, scissors, or a similar instrument. Some states have passed dismemberment abortion bans. These laws are usually located in a state’s statutes.

Laws vary from state to state and under some state laws the term dismemberment abortion does not include an abortion that uses suction to dismember the body of an unborn child by sucking pieces of the unborn child into a collection container. The term includes a dismemberment abortion that is used to cause the death of an unborn child and in which suction is subsequently used to extract pieces of the unborn child after the unborn child's death.

In Pennsylvania, as of the knowledge cutoff in early 2023, there is no specific ban on dismemberment abortions, also known as dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortions. Pennsylvania abortion laws are governed by the Abortion Control Act, which includes provisions such as informed consent, parental consent for minors, and a 24-hour waiting period. The state permits abortions up to 24 weeks of gestation unless the abortion is necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant person. After 24 weeks, abortions are restricted to instances where the pregnant person's life or health is endangered. It is important to note that abortion laws are subject to change due to legislative action or court rulings, and individuals seeking or providing abortions should consult with an attorney to understand the current legal landscape.