The use of misoprostol for abortion at < or = 9 weeks' gestation.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the efficacy and safety of misoprostol for abortion at < or = 63 days' gestation.


METHODS
A total of 175 women seeking elective abortion at < or = 63 days' gestation received 800 micrograms of misoprostol vaginally. This dose was repeated at 48 and 96 h if abortion did not occur. Afterwards, up to three additional 600- or 400-micrograms doses of misoprostol were administered if the uterus was not empty, as judged by ultrasound. Outcome measures included successful abortion (complete abortion without requiring a surgical procedure), side-effects and vaginal bleeding.


RESULTS
Complete abortion occurred in 161/175 (92.0%; 95% CI 87-96%) subjects and 14/175 (8.0%; 95% CI 4-13%) cases failed. The immediate success rate was 77.7% with the first dose, 13.7% with the second dose and 0.6% with the third dose. The decrease in hemoglobin was statistically significant (p = 0.009) but without clinical relevance; before treatment: 11.94 mg/dl (SD 1.60) and after treatment: 11.64 mg/dl (SD 1.08). No significant differences were obtained between success rates and failures in relation to age, gravidity, parity, previous abortions, race, gestational age and side-effects. The third main dose of misoprostol showed very little efficacy. Vaginal bleeding lasted 5.5 +/- 2.8 days, spotting 5.7 +/- 3.1 days and total bleeding 11.2 +/- 3.0 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The success percentage attained shows that 800 micrograms of misoprostol administered vaginally effectively causes abortion at < or = 63 days' gestation.
Hospital Docente Gineco-Obstétrico Eusebio Hernández (Maternidad Obrena), Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba.
J L
JL
Carbonell
L
L
Varela
A
A
Velazco
C
C
Fernández
C
C
Sánchez
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012646:Self Administration; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol