Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the efficacy of a combined regimen of misoprostol with vaginal misoprostol for early 2nd-trimester pregnancy termination.
METHODS:
This is a prospective study that includes 79 pregnant women who requested legal termination of 2nd-trimester pregnancy between 13 and 22 weeks. Two regimens of misoprostol were used. Group 1: 400 microg of oral plus 400 microg vaginal misoprostol every 8 h (combined regimen) and group 2: 400 microg of vaginal misoprostol every 3 h up to a maximum of five doses (vaginal regimen).
RESULTS:
The induction-to-abortion interval was significantly longer in group 1 (25.5 +/- 24.45 h) than in group 2 (15 +/- 7.14 h) (p = 0.016). The abortion rate within 24 h in group 1 was of 56.8 vs. 85.7% in group 2 (p = 0.006). The hazard rate for vaginal delivery within 24 h was found to be 2.277-fold greater in the group with the combined therapy once controlled for plausible confounders.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our study suggests that oral misoprostol combined with vaginal misoprostol does not reduce the induction-to-abortion interval compared to an exclusively vaginal route when used for early 2nd-trimester pregnancy termination.
Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Year: 2005
Journal: Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
PMID: 16260893
Centers: Congratulations to Aina Nicolau for defending her Master’s Thesis New publication in Molecular Human Reproduction New publication in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Agustina Alessandroni has joined our laboratory to pursue her PhD degree.