Comparison of The Efficacy of Intravaginal Misoprostol in Second-Trimester Pregnancy Termination between Live and Dead Fetuses

Abstract

Objective To study the complications and compare the success rate and abortion time interval between the live and the dead fetuses in second-trimester pregnancy termination with intra­vaginal misoprostol.

Study design A prospective comparative study.

Setting            Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaoprayayommaraj Hospital.

Methods A total of 46 pregnant woman between 14 and 28 weeks of gestation with obstetric, medical, or genetic reasons for termination of pregnancy were recruited to receive 200 pg of misoprostol inserted intravaginally every 12 hours.

Results           The rates of successful abortions within 12,13 - 24 and 25 - 48 hours in dead fetuses

were 69.04%, 19.04% and 11.19%, while in live fetuses were 0.00%, 75.00% and 25.00%, respectively. The success rates within 12 hours in live fetus group were significantly lower than those of the dead fetus group (p=0.018). No serious complication occurred in terms of hemorrhage, nausea and vomiting.

Conclusion Intravaginal misoprostol is an effective and safe method for second - trimester pregnancy termination. The success rate is higher and the abortion time is less in dead fetus pregnancy than those in the live fetus pregnancy.