title: Oral misoprostol in the prevention of uterine bleeding after surgical evacuation of first trimester abortion: a comparative study of three uterotonic agents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This comparative study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of oral Misoprostol compared with intravenous Ergometrine and intravenous Oxytocin in reducing vaginal bleeding following surgical evacuation for first trimester abortions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-blind placebo-controlled study in which patients with first trimester uncomplicated abortions were divided into three groups using computer-generated randomization table. The first group was administered oral Misoprostol, the second group had intravenous Ergometrine, and the third group was administered intravenous Oxytocin. The uterotonic agents were administered before the surgical evacuation was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was statistically significant reduction in blood loss after the evacuation in the Misoprostol group ( P < 0.000). There was also significant reduction in the number of days of bleeding in the Misoprostol group (2.00 ± 0.86) compared with 4.43 ± 0.92 and 4.64 ± 1.06 days in the Ergometrine and Oxytocin groups, respectively ( P < 0.000). There were, however, more gastrointestinal side effects in the Misoprostol and Ergometrine groups (60.7% and 57.1%, respectively) compared with the Oxytocin group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral Misoprostol appeared to demonstrate superior efficacy in reducing uterine bleeding after surgical evacuation, compared to the other commonly used uterotonic agents.
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Perinatology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors: T M
authors: TM
authors: Aramide
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Olusegun
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Akinfolarin
authors: D F
authors: DF
authors: Oriola
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D004874:Ergonovine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol; D010121:Oxytocin; D004874:Ergonovine