High-dose misoprostol as an alternative therapy after failed medical abortion.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the complete abortion rate for the vaginal administration of high-dose misoprostol after a failed medical abortion.


METHODS
When their medical abortions failed after the conventional oral administration of mifepristone and misoprostol, participants then received 1,000 microg of misoprostol vaginally. The efficacy and side effects of this treatment were evaluated.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven women who failed to abort after the conventional administration of mifepristone and misoprostol were enrolled in this trial. Fourteen days after the vaginal administration of 1,000 microg misoprostol, the overall complete expulsion rate had reached 88.8% (24/27). Most adverse effects were mild to moderate and did not require treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The vaginal administration of 1,000 microg misoprostol as a salvage therapy after a failed medical abortion appears to be a safe and highly effective alternative to surgical intervention.
Li
Yiu-Tai
YT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuo General Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Hou
Guang-Qiong
GQ
Chen
Tien-Hui
TH
Chu
Yi-Chih
YC
Lin
Ta-Chin
TC
Kuan
Long-Ching
LC
Lin
Mau
M
Huang
Shu-Feng
SF
Chen
Fu-Min
FM
Kuo
Tsung-Cheng
TC
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol