title: A randomized controlled study comparing 600 versus 1,200 microg oral misoprostol for medical management of incomplete abortion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although a number of studies have shown misoprostol's promise as a nonsurgical treatment for incomplete abortion, few have systematically examined treatment protocols. This study documents the effectiveness of 600 versus 1,200 microg oral misoprostol for this indication.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2002 to January 2003, 300 women with incomplete abortion were recruited at a large tertiary facility in Vietnam and randomized to either a single-dose (600 microg) or a repeated-dose (600 microg x 2) regimen of oral misoprostol for the treatment of their condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Misoprostol effectively evacuated the uterus for nearly all women (94.6%; n=279), with most reporting bleeding for 4 days (+/-2.3) and pain/cramps lasting 1 day (+/-1.0). Women indicated that the side effects were tolerable (96%) and that their experience was satisfactory (95%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral misoprostol (600 or 1,200 microg) offers a safe, effective and acceptable treatment for incomplete abortion. Larger studies to assess the advantages and disadvantages of misoprostol as compared with standard surgical care are needed to assess its role in postabortion care programs worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Hung Vuong Hospital, 128 Hungvuong Street, Q5 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Thi Nhu Ngoc
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Durocher
authors.forename: Tran Thien Vinh
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Winikoff
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000027:Abortion, Incomplete / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010146:Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage; D014744:Vietnam
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol