Rubina Iqbal, Shahida Yaqoob, Fareeha Khan.
A comparison of oral and vaginal misoprostol in 2nd trimester termination of Pregnancy.
J Fatima Jinnah Med Coll Lahore Jan ;1(3-4):70-2.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy, side effect and acceptability of oral and vaginal misoprostol for second trimester medical abortions. Study Design: Quasi Experimental Place and Duration of Study: Gynecological and Obstetrics Department Fatima Memorial Hospital affiliated with Fatima Memorial College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore, from May 2006 to September 2006. Patients and Methods: 60 Women at 12 to 24 week of gestation requiring medical termination of pregnancy. Main Outcome Measures: The success of medication was assessed in achievement of complete abortion at 24 and 48 hours. Results: There was no significant difference in success rate at 48 hours (oral 93.4%, vaginal 96.7%). However the success achieved in 24 hours was higher in the vaginal group 80% compared with the oral group 56.7%. More women preferred the oral route as compared to vaginal route in order to avoid pelvic examination. The side effects were comparable in two groups except that incidence of nausea was slightly higher in oral group and abdominal pain was higher in the vaginal group. Conclusion: The use of vaginal misoprostol for second trimester medical abortion resulted in higher success rate than oral at 24 hours but the abortion rate was almost similar after 48 hours. Vaginal misoprostol is more effective but oral route is also an effective and acceptable alternative.

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