title: First-trimester pregnancy termination with 800 microg of vaginal misoprostol every 12 h.
abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 800 microg of misoprostol every 12 h, for a period of 36 h for pharmacological abortion. A group of 162 volunteer women with gestations between 50 and 63 days received misoprostol every 12 h up to a maximum of three doses for abortion. Outcome measures assessed included: successful abortion (complete abortion without requiring surgery), side effects, and a decrease in hemoglobin, mean time of vaginal bleeding, mean expulsion time and mean time of returning of menses. Complete abortion occurred in 148 of 162 (91%, 95% confidence interval 87.95) patients. The mean decrease in hemoglobin was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Vaginal bleeding lasted 8.0 +/- 3.2 days, spotting 8.0 +/- 3.5 days, and total bleeding 16 +/- 4.0 days. The mean expulsion time was 8.5 +/- 4.0 h. According to the observed outcomes, 800 microg of misoprostol vaginally could be a valid method to terminate pregnancies up to 9 weeks of gestation.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salakos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kountouris
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Botsis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rizos
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gregoriou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Detsis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creatsas
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol