Medical Abortion-An Alternative to Surgical Abortion.
BACKGROUND
Termination of early pregnancy has traditionally been done surgically, but agents are now available which can terminate pregnancy if taken orally, vaginally or parenterally. We have used a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for termination of early pregnancy.


METHODS
Fifty patients having amenorrhoea of upto 56 days with confirmed intrauterine pregnancy, were selected for medical termination of pregnancy. The patients were given tablet mifepristone (200mg) on day 1 and tablet misoprostol (400mcg) on day 3. On day 14, an ultrasound was done to confirm complete abortion.


RESULTS
Majority 35 (70%) patients had amenorrhoea between 40 - 50 days. The duration of bleeding was less than 5 days in 12%, between 5 -10 days in 56%, 10 -13 days in 16% and greater than 14 days in 16%. In all patients with bleeding of more than 14 days ultrasonography confirmed intrauterine products & a suction evacuation was done. In this series there were no failures.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is an effective method for termination of early pregnancy up to 56 days of amenorrhoea.
Classified Specialist (Obs & Gyn) & Endoscopic Surgeon, Army Hospital (R & R), Delhi Cantt.
K
K
Kapur
Senior Advisor (Obs & Gyn), Army Hospital (R & R), Delhi Cantt.
G S
GS
Joneja
Classified Specialist (Obs & Gyn) & Gyn Oncologist, Army Hospital (R & R), Delhi Cantt.
M
M
Biswas
Medical abortion
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