A randomized controlled study comparing 600 versus 1,200 microg oral misoprostol for medical management of incomplete abortion.
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.
Nguyen
Thi Nhu Ngoc
TN
Hung Vuong Hospital, 128 Hungvuong Street, Q5 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Blum
Jennifer
J
Durocher
Jill
J
Quan
Tran Thien Vinh
TT
Winikoff
Beverly
B
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
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol