Authors: Herabutya, Yongyoth¹; Chanrachakul, Boonsri¹; Punyavachira, Piyaporn²

Source: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Volume 112, Number 9, September 2005 , pp. 1297-1301(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol administered 6 or 12 hourly for second trimester pregnancy termination. Design

A randomised controlled trial. Setting

University teaching hospital. Sample

Two hundred and seventy-nine pregnant women at gestations between 14 and 26 weeks undergoing pregnancy termination. Methods

Women were randomised to receive 600-g misoprostol tablets vaginally either every 6 hours or every 12 hours until abortion occurred. Main outcome measures

Induction–abortion interval, success rate within 24 and 48 hours and adverse effects. Results

There was no significant difference in the median induction to abortion interval 6 hours (16 hours) and 12 hours (16 hours; P= 0.80). The total dose of misoprostol was higher in the 6-hour group (1800 vs 1200 g). The cumulative abortion rates within 24 hours were 74% and 67% and within 48 hours 94% and 92%, in the 6- and 12-hour groups, respectively. Fever was more common in the 6-hour group (53%) versus the 12-hour group (31%; P < 0.001). The incidence of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe bleeding and abdominal pain were similar. Conclusions

Misoprostol (600 g) administered at 12-hour intervals was associated with fewer adverse effects and was as effective as a 6-hour interval.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2005.00727.x

Affiliations: 1: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 2: Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Publication date: 2005-09-01

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