BioScience Trends. 2010;4(6):351-354. (DOI: )

Second trimester pregnancy termination with 400 μg vaginal misoprostol: Efficacy and safety.

Kunwar S, Saha PK, Goel P, Huria A, Tandon R, Sehgal A.


SUMMARY

The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of misoprostol (400 μg) given intravaginally repeated at 6 hourly intervals for a maximum of 6 doses for second-trimester pregnancy terminations. The study was conducted on women who had to undergo pregnancy termination between 13 and 26 weeks of gestation for various indications but mainly intrauterine death over a period of 2 years. A standard regime of 400 μg of misoprostol 6 hourly intravaginally was given until a maximum of 6 doses. Sixty women underwent second trimester terminations. The mean induction abortion interval was 11.8 h. The success rate at the end of 48 h was 96.6%. Side-effects were in the form of incomplete abortion, excessive blood loss, and fever. No patient had a uterus rupture. Intravaginal misoprostol 400 μg given 6 hourly seems to be an effective, safe, and acceptable method for second trimester pregnancy terminations.


KEYWORDS: Second trimester pregnancy termination, vaginal misoprostol, prostaglandin

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