Incomplete miscarriage: a randomized controlled trial comparing oral with vaginal misoprostol for medical evacuation

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) 2001-11, Vol.16 (11), p.2283-2287
• Main Authors: Pang, M.W., Lee, T.S., Chung, T.K.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abortion, Incomplete - drug therapy; Administration, Intravaginal; Administration, Oral; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Diarrhea - chemically induced; Female; Genital system. Reproduction; Humans; incomplete miscarriage; Medical sciences; misoprostol; Misoprostol - administration & dosage; Misoprostol - adverse effects; Misoprostol - therapeutic use; Pelvic Pain; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pregnancy; side-effects; vaginal
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/16.11.2283

BACKGROUND: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the efficacy and side-effects of vaginal versus oral misoprostol in the medical management of incomplete miscarriage. METHODS: Two hundred and one patients who miscarried consented to randomization using computer-generated randomization model prior to treatment. A total of 800 μg of misoprostol was given either vaginally or orally to the randomized subjects. A second dose was repeated 4 h later if the product of conception had not been passed. RESULTS: The incidence of complete uterine evacuation following vaginal and oral misoprostol was similar [(58/95) 61.1% versus (67/103) 64.4%]. There was a significantly decreased incidence of diarrhoea [(12/95) 13.6% versus (62/103) 65.3%, P < 0.01] with the use of vaginal misoprostol. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal misoprostol was as effective as oral misoprostol in medical uterine evacuation in patients with incomplete miscarriage. There was also a reduction in the incidence of diarrhoea with the use of vaginal misoprostol.