Abstract

Background: Second trimester abortions constitute 10-15% of all induced abortions and are considered to be less safe than first trimester abortions. The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is now an established and highly effective method for second trimester abortion. Aim: To compare the efficacy and the success rate of single dose oral mifepristone plus vaginal misoprostol versus vaginal misoprostol alone for second trimester termination of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A comparative study and was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a Tertiary Health Care Hospital. The study was carried out by dividing women into two groups (72 each). Group A received 200mg of oral Tablet Mifepristone and 400 of vaginal misoprostol (48 hours later) which was repeated every 4 hourly by 200 of vaginal misoprostol up to a maximum of 4 doses. Group B received 400 of vaginal misoprostol directly and the dose was repeated every 4 hourly by 200 of vaginal misoprostol up to a maximum of 4 doses. Results: The success rate in Group A was 98.6%, whereas in Group B was 84.7%. The mean induction abortion interval in Group A was lesser (6.2 hours) as compared to Group B (10.8 hours) (p value <0.00001). The mean dose of misoprostol in Group A was 613.88mcg compared to the Group B 1591.66mcg (p value <0.00001). Conclusion: Pretreatment with mifepristone significantly reduces the induction abortion interval (I-A-I) and the misoprostol dose.

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