Randomized comparison of second trimester pregnancy termination utilizing saline moistened or dry misoprostol

• Published in: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics 2007-11, Vol.276 (5), p.511-516
• Main Authors: Yilmaz, Bulent, Kelekci, Sefa, Ertas, Ibrahim Egemen, Ozel, Murat, Sut, Necdet, Mollamahmutoglu, Leyla, Danisman, Nuri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abortifacient Agents - administration & dosage; Abortion, Therapeutic; Administration, Intravaginal; Adult; Female; Health risk assessment; Humans; Misoprostol - administration & dosage; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Prospective Studies; Sodium Chloride - administration & dosage; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0932-0067; 1432-0711
• DOI: 10.1007/s00404-007-0374-9

The aim of this randomized prospective study was to compare efficacy and side effects of saline moistened misoprostol with dry misoprostol, administered 800 mug intravaginally every 6 h up to a maximum of 3 doses in 24 h for second trimester pregnancy termination. A total of 81 women seeking termination of second trimester pregnancy (55 fetal death, 17 fetal structural anomaly, 5 chromosomal abnormality, 4 other reasons) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: (1) intravaginal non-moistened (dry) misoprostol in group A (n = 40) or (2) misoprostol moistened with 3 ml of saline in group B (n = 41). All of the patients in either group aborted within 48 h (100% success rate). Delivery was achieved in a median (interquartile range) of 13 (40) h with the group A protocol and 12 (36) h with the group B protocol (P = 0.652). Delivery with first dose, delivery within 12 h and delivery within 24 h were similar (P > 0.05) in group B (34.1, 87.5 and 60%, respectively) and group A (25, 82.9, 46.3, respectively). Both treatment regimens were tolerable and with similar side effects. Misoprostol moistened with saline was not more effective than dry misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination.