Introduction of early medical abortion in New Zealand: an audit of the first 67 cases.
BACKGROUND
In New Zealand, mifepristone became available in 2001, but because of uncertainty about the law, the first 67 cases were carried out under a very strict protocol. Once the prostaglandin had been administered it was necessary that the woman remain in the unit until the products of conception (POC) had been passed and, if this had not occurred within 8 h, she underwent suction curettage.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that an early medical termination of pregnancy (EMTOP) service could be offered as a safe option for women, despite the constraints of the law.


METHODS
An audit of patient notes was carried out on the first 67 patients undergoing an EMTOP at the Level J Unit (LJU), Wellington Hospital. Data collected included age, ethnicity, parity, previous abortions, gestational age, length of time between the administration of mifepristone and misoprostol, length of time after administration of misoprostol to the completion of abortion, whether a fetal sac was seen, analgesia required, extent of heavy bleeding and any adverse effects. Patient characteristics were compared with those of the 3052 women who underwent surgical termination during the same time period. Data were analysed using EpiInfo 2000 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) and Chi square tests for significance.


RESULTS
Successful completion of EMTOP occurred in 63 of 67 cases (94%). Only four cases (6%) required completion by suction curettage and this was performed for legal and financial reasons, rather than for medical reasons. Clinical events requiring management, mainly bleeding problems, occurred in 11 patients (16%).


CONCLUSIONS
EMTOP with mifepristone and misoprostol was successfully introduced and the experience provides useful data for others contemplating a similar service.
Shand
Carol
C
Level J Unit, Wellington Hospital, Capital & Coast Health Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand. mcshand@top.net.nz
Rose
Sally B
SB
Simmons
Ann
A
Sparrow
Margaret J
MJ
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000029:Abortion, Legal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009520:New Zealand; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone