Sublingual versus vaginal misoprostol (400 microg) for cervical priming in first-trimester abortion: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to compare the sublingual administration and the vaginal administration of misoprostol for cervical priming before first-trimester surgical abortion.


METHODS
We used an open, multicenter, randomized trial.


METHODS
We conducted the study in four clinics (in Valencia, Castelló, Murcia and Murcia Capital) in Spain.


METHODS
A total of 1424 healthy pregnant women with amenorrhea of <or=84 days who voluntarily decided to terminate their pregnancy participated in the study.


METHODS
Women were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of 400 microg of misoprostol either sublingually or vaginally 1-3 h before aspiration.


METHODS
The outcome measures assessed were cervical dilation before surgery and surgical time needed for aspiration. The incidence of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever/chills and paresthesia, was evaluated.


RESULTS
The mean cervical dilation achieved was 6.8+/-0.8 and 6.7+/-0.9 mm for the sublingual and vaginal groups, respectively. The mean surgical time was 7.0+/-2.8 and 7.4+/-2.5 min for the sublingual and vaginal groups, respectively. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were more frequent in the sublingual group.


CONCLUSIONS
Both regimens had equal efficacy; however, the sublingual route caused more side effects.
Carbonell Esteve
Josep Lluis
JL
Clínica Mediterrania Médica, Valencia 46017, Castelló, Spain. schja@infomed.sld.cu <schja@infomed.sld.cu>
Marí
Jose Maria
JM
Valero
Francisco
F
Llorente
Margardel
M
Salvador
Immaculada
I
Varela
Lidia
L
Leal
Pedro
P
Candel
Ana
A
Tudela
Ana
A
Serrano
Maria
M
Muñoz
Eva
E
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000187:drug effects*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol