Comparison of sequential vaginal and sublingual misoprostol after a vaginal loading dose for second-trimester abortion

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of sequential vaginal and sublingual misoprostol after a vaginal loading dose for second-trimester abortion. Materials and methods: From January 2006 to December 2011, 173 women received an 800-μg vaginal loading dose of misoprostol. After the loading dose, 103 patients received 800 mg of misoprostol vaginally and 70 patients received 400 mg of misoprostol sublingually every 12 h until the delivery of the fetus. Results: In the vaginal group, the average abortion time was 1.07 ± 1.29 days; that was 0.82 ± 0.66 days in the sublingual group. Sequential sublingual misoprostol after a vaginal loading dose of 800 mg with an administration interval of 12 h had a similar abortion rate and time to abortion. In addition, this protocol reduced unnecessary digital pelvic examinations and speculum examinations. Conclusion: This sequential sublingual misoprostol regimen might be a suitable regimen for mid-trimester abortion.

Keywords

• Cytotec
• Misoprostol
• Second-trimester
• Abortion