Misoprostol in the management of missed abortion.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the effect of vaginal misoprostol with that of placebo when used prior to dilation and aspiration in women with a missed abortion.

METHOD:

Eighty-four pregnant women with a missed abortion were randomized to receive either vaginal misoprostol (200 micrograms) or placebo the day before the planned dilatation and aspiration under inhalation anesthesia.

RESULT:

Thirty-five women (83.33%) in the misoprostol group and 6 women (17.14%) in the placebo group aborted spontaneously prior to the scheduled dilatation and aspiration, P < 0.0001. The mean insertion to spontaneous expulsion time was 11.63 +/- 6.14 h in the misoprostol group compared to 11.95 +/- 5.43 h in placebo. In the misoprostol group two women required intramuscular pethidine for analgesia. In the placebo group there were two cases of blood loss in excess of 500 ml and one woman with a uterine perforation.

CONCLUSION:

Vaginal administration of misoprostol to women with a missed abortion produced spontaneous expulsion of the pregnancy and reduced the need for surgical treatment.

• Authors: Y Herabutya, P O-Prasertsawat
• Journal: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Int J Gynaecol Obstet) Vol. 56 Issue 3 Pg. 263-6 (Mar 1997) ISSN: 0020-7292 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9127159 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
• Misoprostol

Topics

• Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal (therapeutic use)
• Abortion, Missed (therapy)
• Administration, Intravaginal
• Adult
• Cervix Uteri
• Dilatation (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Misoprostol (therapeutic use)
• Pregnancy