Second trimester abortion using intravaginal misoprostol.
OBJECTIVE
To find the effective dose of intravaginal misoprostol to induce second trimester abortion.


METHODS
Intravaginal misoprostol in 200-microg, 400-microg and 600-microg doses were applied at 12-h intervals in 150 consecutive pregnancies.


RESULTS
The 48-h successful abortion rate was 70.6%, 82% and 96%, respectively, and these rates were unaffected by parity. The mean induction to abortion interval was 45.0 +/- 41.5, 33.4 +/- 34.9 and 22.3 +/- 14.3 h, respectively. The mean dose of misoprostol required to induce abortion was 416.7 microg, 772.8 microg and 1296 microg. The rate of nausea and vomiting was 3.9%, 12% and 20%. The diarrhea occurrence rate was 0%, 6% and 22% with temperature elevation 0%, 2% and 28%, respectively. The rate of incomplete abortion was 35.3%, 28% and 22%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The 600-microg dose is more effective as an abortifacient agent for second trimester abortion in terms of 48-h success rate and the rate of incomplete abortion but with more side effects. However, the side effects were mild and did not warrant any specific treatment.
Herabutya
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
O-Prasertsawat
P
P
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D013785:Thailand
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol