A randomized comparison of two regimens of misoprostol for second-trimester pregnancy termination

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of two different misoprostol regimens for second-trimester pregnancy termination. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a randomized clinical trial in patients who were at 14 to 23 weeks of gestation and who were admitted for medical termination of pregnancy. All patients received 800 microg of vaginal misoprostol and were assigned randomly to 400 microg of oral misoprostol or 400 microg of vaginal misoprostol every 8 hours. Efficacy and side effects were compared. The mean induction time of the study group was compared with that of an historic control group that had received 400 microg vaginally every 12 hours. RESULTS: Forty-three women were assigned randomly, 22 women to vaginal misoprostol and 21 women to oral misoprostol. Induction time and hospital stay were slightly shorter for the oral group; however, the differences were not significant. Side effects were similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: After an initial 800 microg dose of vaginal misoprostol, a regimen of 400 microg of oral misoprostol every 8 hours is as effective as the same dose of vaginal misoprostol with no additional side effects, which provides a convenient alternative for midtrimester pregnancy termination.     

A comparison of oral misoprostol with vaginal misoprostol administration in second-trimester pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and side effects of oral misoprostol with vaginal misoprostol for second-trimester pregnancy termination. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial of medical pregnancy termination between 14 and 26 weeks' gestation was conducted. Three misoprostol regimens were compared: 400 microg vaginally at 6-hour intervals (group 1), 400 microg orally at 3-hour intervals (group 2), and a loading dose of 600 microg vaginally followed by 200 microg orally at 3-hour intervals (group 3). A sample size of 225 women was required for equivalence of the three regimens, with an interim safety analysis planned at 80 women. RESULTS: A significant difference between the groups was evident at the interim safety analysis and the study ceased. The subset of 84 women recruited before the study closure is described. There was a significant difference in the median time to achieve delivery among the three groups: group 1, 14.5 hours (95% confidence interval 12.0, 16.9), versus group 2, 25.5 hours (13.5, 23.8), versus group 3, 16.4 hours (interquartile range 14.2-37.3) (P =.042). Within 24 hours of commencement 85.7% of women in group 1, 44.8% in group 2, and 74.1% in group 3 delivered (P =.003). At 48 hours 0% in group 1, 20.7% in group 2, and 3.7% in group 3 were undelivered (P =.011). There was no difference in women's perceptions of the termination process. CONCLUSION: In second-trimester pregnancy termination, a vaginal misoprostol regimen of 400 microg every 6 hours was 1.9 times more likely to result in delivery within 24 hours from commencement than an oral regimen of 400 microg every 3 hours.     

米非司酮配伍米索前列醇终止10～16周妊娠的临床多中心随机比较性研究

目的探索米非司酮合并米索前列醇（米索）终止１０～１６周妊娠最佳剂量及最佳给药途径。方法将来自上海２４所医院的２００７例孕１０～１６周要求药物终止妊娠的妇女,随机分成４种不同的治疗组。组Ⅰ：５１１例,米非司酮７５ｍｇ每天１次,连服２天（总量１５０ｍｇ）,第３天晨口服米索０．６ｍｇ,每３～４小时重复１次,最多３次;组Ⅱ：４９１例,米非司酮１００ｍｇ每天１次,连服２天（总量２００ｍｇ）,米索用法同组Ⅰ;组Ⅲ：５１９例,米非司酮用法同组Ⅰ,第３天晨阴道内放置米索０．６ｍｇ,每１２小时重复１次,最多３次;组Ⅳ：４８６例,米非司酮用法同组Ⅱ,米索用法同组Ⅲ。结果４组２４小时内的流产成功率分别为８８．６％、８９．４％、９０．９％和９４．０％。组Ⅳ的成功率明显高于组Ⅰ和组Ⅱ。２４小时内流产成功者米索的用量,阴道给药者比口服给药者明显减少（Ｐ＜０．００１）,胃肠道副反应发生率也明显降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论口服米非司酮２００ｍｇ合并阴道放置米索,是较好的药物终止１０～１６周妊娠的方法,可作为一种常规方法推荐在临床应用。     

Misoprostol in second and early third trimester for termination of pregnancies with fetal anomalies.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of a prostaglandin E1 analog, misoprostol, using different regimens compared with dinoprostone in termination of pregnancies in second and early third trimester complicated by either congenital fetal anomalies or intrauterine fetal demise. METHODS: A retrospective review of 59 pregnancies between 15 and 30 weeks was performed which were terminated due to congenital fetal anomalies or intrauterine fetal demise. In group 1 (n=29) 400 microg oral and 600 microg vaginal misoprostol, in group 2 (n=12) 600 microg vaginal misoprostol and in group 3 (n=18) 0.5 mg dinoprostone gel were given for the termination of the pregnancies. All these groups were evaluated for demographic characteristics and delivery findings. Statistical analysis were performed by one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and chi(2)-test. RESULTS: No significant statistical difference was observed in terms of age, gravidity, parity, previous abortion, gestational week, frequency of prostaglandin usage, and birth weights among the three groups. The time intervals between the first administration and delivery were 20.3 h for oral vaginal misoprostol, 17.3 h for vaginal misoprostol and 22.5 h for the dinoprostone group (P=0.594). Evacuation rates after single doses were similar in all groups (83%, 73% and 72%, respectively). Uterine tachysystole was the only major side effect encountered in the oral-vaginal misoprostol group. CONCLUSIONS: All three regimens yielded similar results for termination of pregnancies in second and third trimester. The major advantage of misoprostol was the cost.     

A randomized controlled trial comparing two protocols for the use of misoprostol in midtrimester pregnancy termination

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the efficacy of oral misoprostol with that of vaginal misoprostol for midtrimester termination of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Women seen for midtrimester pregnancy termination were randomly assigned to receive either misoprostol orally in a dose of 200 microg every hour for 3 hours followed by 400 microg every 4 hours or vaginally in a dose of 400 microg every 4 hours. The protocol was followed for 24 hours, after which time further management was at the discretion of the attending physician. The primary outcome measure was the induction-to-delivery interval. Sample size was calculated a priori. Statistical analysis was performed with the t test for continuous variables and the chi(2) test for categorical variables. P <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen women were randomized, with 49 receiving vaginal misoprostol and 65 receiving oral misoprostol. The two groups were comparable with respect to maternal age, parity, indication for pregnancy termination, gestational age, and maternal weight. The mean induction-to-delivery interval was significantly shorter for the vaginal group (19.6 +/- 17.5 hours vs 34.5 +/- 28.2 hours, P <.01). Length of stay was also shorter in the vaginal group (32.3 +/- 17.3 hours vs 50.9 +/- 27.9 hours, P <.01). Significantly more patients in the vaginal group were delivered within 24 hours (85.1% vs 39.5%, P <.01), and more patients in the oral group required changes in the method of induction when they were undelivered after 24 hours (38.2% vs 7%, P <.01). The only complication was an increase in febrile morbidity in the vaginal group (25% vs 6.7%, P =.046). This did not result in an increased use of antibiotics, and all the fevers resolved post partum without further complications. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal administration of misoprostol resulted in a shorter induction-to-delivery interval. The shorter length of stay should result in improved patient care.     

米非司酮配伍米索前列醇终止10～16周妊娠的临床多中心随机比 …

目的 探讨米非司酮合并米索前列醇（米索）终止１０－１６周妊娠最佳剂量及最佳给药途径。方法 将来自上海２４所医院的２００７例孕１０－１６周要求药物终止妊娠的妇女,随机分成４种不同的治疗组。组Ｉ,５１１例,米非司酮７５ｍｇ每天１次,连服２天（总量１５０ｍｇ）第３天晨口服米索０．６ｍｇ,每３－４小时重复１次,最多３组,组ＩＩ：４９１例,非米司酮１００ｍｇ每天１次,连服２天（总量２００ｍｇ）米索用法同组Ｉ     

Comparison of vaginal misoprostol and gemeprost as pretreatment in first trimester pregnancy interruption

Objective To compare the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol pretreatment with standard gemeprost pre-treatment in first trimester pregnancy termination.
Design A prospective randomised study.
Population One hundred and ninety-nine women scheduled for day case termination of pregnancy during the first trimester.
Methods Cervical priming with a vaginally applied 200 μg tablet of misoprostol for at least four hours, compared with a 1.0 mg vaginal suppository of gemeprost for at least three hours before vacuum aspiration.
Main outcome measures The prostaglandin effect on baseline cervical dilatation was the main outcome. Others were occurrence of pre-operative pain and need for analgesia, pre-operative side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, presence of blood in the vagina and blood loss during the operation.
Results There was no significant difference in the dilatation ability of misoprostol or gemeprost, nor in the preoperative use of analgesics. The frequency of nausea and diarrhoea was significantly less common in the misoprostol treated women.
Conclusions Vaginally applied misoprostol is as effective as gemeprost in cervical priming prior to first trimester vacuum aspiration. Misoprostol was associated with fewer side effects than gemeprost.     

Randomized comparison of second trimester pregnancy termination utilizing saline moistened or dry misoprostol

Objective The aim of this randomized prospective study was to compare efficacy and side effects of saline moistened misoprostol with dry misoprostol, administered 800 μg intravaginally every 6 h up to a maximum of 3 doses in 24 h for second trimester pregnancy termination. Materials and methods A total of 81 women seeking termination of second trimester pregnancy (55 fetal death, 17 fetal structural anomaly, 5 chromosomal abnormality, 4 other reasons) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: (1) intravaginal non-moistened (dry) misoprostol in group A (n = 40) or (2) misoprostol moistened with 3 ml of saline in group B (n = 41). Results All of the patients in either group aborted within 48 h (100% success rate). Delivery was achieved in a median (interquartile range) of 13 (40) h with the group A protocol and 12 (36) h with the group B protocol (P = 0.652). Delivery with first dose, delivery within 12 h and delivery within 24 h were similar (P > 0.05) in group B (34.1, 87.5 and 60%, respectively) and group A (25, 82.9, 46.3, respectively). Both treatment regimens were tolerable and with similar side effects. Conclusion Misoprostol moistened with saline was not more effective than dry misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination.     

Vaginal misoprostol versus concentrated oxytocin and vaginal PGE2 for second-trimester labor induction

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, side effects, and complications of high-dose vaginal misoprostol with concentrated intravenous oxytocin plus low-dose vaginal prostaglandin (PGE(2)) for second-trimester labor induction. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six consenting women with maternal or fetal indications for pregnancy termination and no prior cesarean delivery were randomly assigned to receive either vaginal misoprostol 600 microg 1x, 400 microg every 4 hours 5x (misoprostol group, n = 60) or escalating-dose concentrated oxytocin infusions (277-1,667 mU/min) plus vaginal PGE(2) 10 mg every 6 hours 4x (oxytocin group, n = 66). Both groups received concurrent extra-amniotic saline infusion for cervical ripening. Women who failed their assigned regimen received 20 mg of PGE(2) suppositories every 4 hours until delivery. Analysis was by intent to treat. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics were similar between study groups. Median induction-to-delivery interval was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group (12 hours) than in the oxytocin group (17 hours; P <.001). There was a higher induction success rate at 24 hours in the misoprostol group (95%) than in the oxytocin group (85%; P =.06), although this difference did not reach statistical significance. The incidence of live birth (25% versus 17%), chorioamnionitis (5% versus 2%), and postpartum hemorrhage greater than 500 mL (3% versus 3%) were similar between the misoprostol and oxytocin groups, respectively. Diarrhea (2% versus 11%; P =.04), nausea/emesis (25% versus 42%; P =.04), and retained placenta requiring curettage (2% versus 15%; P =.008) were significantly less common in the misoprostol group when compared with the oxytocin group, respectively. Isolated intrapartum fever, however, was more frequent in the misoprostol group (67%) than in the oxytocin group (21%; P <.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with concentrated oxytocin plus low-dose vaginal PGE(2), high-dose vaginal misoprostol is associated with significantly shorter induction-to-delivery intervals, fewer side effects, a lower incidence of retained placenta, and comparable incidence of live birth.     

Comparison of vaginal misoprostol and gemeprost as pre-treatment in first trimester pregnancy interruption.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol pre-treatment with standard gemeprost pre-treatment in first trimester pregnancy termination. DESIGN: A prospective randomised study. POPULATION: One hundred and ninety-nine women scheduled for day case termination of pregnancy during the first trimester. METHODS: Cervical priming with a vaginally applied 200 microg tablet of misoprostol for at least four hours, compared with a 1.0 mg vaginal suppository of gemeprost for at least three hours before vacuum aspiration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prostaglandin effect on baseline cervical dilatation was the main outcome. Others were occurrence of pre-operative pain and need for analgesia, pre-operative side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, presence of blood in the vagina and blood loss during the operation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the dilatation ability of misoprostol or gemeprost, nor in the pre-operative use of analgesics. The frequency of nausea and diarrhoea was significantly less common in the misoprostol treated women. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginally applied misoprostol is as effective as gemeprost in cervical priming prior to first trimester vacuum aspiration. Misoprostol was associated with fewer side effects than gemeprost.     

Termination of pregnancy with 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta2 PGE1 methyl ester vaginal suppositories: an analysis of 182 cases]

The results of pregnancy termination with ONO 802 as a vaginal suppository in 182 cases are presented. The drug was tested during the different phases of pregnancy, as well as in abnormal pregnancies (intrauterine fetal death and hydatidiform mole) and normal pregnancy. 1 suppository containing 1 mg of the drug was inserted in the posterior vaginal fornix every 3 hours, with 1 full course consisting of 5 suppositories. Cases which did not terminate spontaneously were administered the same treatment the next day. A success rate of 90.5% was obtained; 91.6% for the 1st trimester, 88.8% for the 2nd, 94.7% for intrauterine fetal death, and 100% for hydatidiform mole and 3rd trimester cases. A dosage of between 1-5 mg was successful in 83.9%. 75% terminated within 24 hours. In the 34 patients who were given 2 suppositories and whose surgical termination followed 6 hours later, the cervix was so soft and dilated that a No. 8 Hegar dilator was easily inserted and blood loss was reduced to an average of 12.5 ml. After termination, vaginal bleeding ceased within 2 weeks and menses resumed in 6 weeks. Few complications and side effects occurred. Of the 8 cases which later became pregnant, 2 have delivered normal fetuses spontaneously. In light of these results, the use of ONO 802 vaginal suppository is 1 of the better methods of pregnancy termiantion. (author's modified)     

Oral versus vaginal misoprostol administered one hour before surgical termination of pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of oral and vaginal misoprostol as cervical priming agents administered 1 hour before first trimester surgical termination of pregnancy. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. POPULATION: Pregnant women of 10 weeks or less gestation attending the termination of pregnancy clinic. METHODS: Ninety eligible women were recruited to the study during September 2001 and September 2002. Women were randomised to one of the three groups: misoprostol administered orally (400 microg), misoprostol administered vaginally (800 microg) and standard care (no cervical priming agent) administered prior to surgical termination of pregnancy. Under general anaesthesia, and prior to the operation, a cervical tonometer was used to determine the main outcome measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline cervical dilatation and the cumulative force required to dilate the cervix from 3 to 9 mm. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean baseline cervical dilation (P= 0.16) or the cumulative force required to dilate the cervix (P= 0.12) between the three randomised groups. CONCLUSION: No cervical priming effects were detectable with oral or vaginal misoprostol administered 1 hour before first trimester surgical termination of pregnancy.     

A randomised controlled trial of 6 and 12 hourly administration of vaginal misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol administered 6 or 12 hourly for second trimester pregnancy termination. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: University teaching hospital. SAMPLE: Two hundred and seventy-nine pregnant women at gestations between 14 and 26 weeks undergoing pregnancy termination. METHODS: Women were randomised to receive 600-microg misoprostol tablets vaginally either every 6 hours or every 12 hours until abortion occurred. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Induction-abortion interval, success rate within 24 and 48 hours and adverse effects. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the median induction to abortion interval 6 hours (16 hours) and 12 hours (16 hours; P= 0.80). The total dose of misoprostol was higher in the 6-hour group (1800 vs 1200 microg). The cumulative abortion rates within 24 hours were 74% and 67% and within 48 hours 94% and 92%, in the 6- and 12-hour groups, respectively. Fever was more common in the 6-hour group (53%) versus the 12-hour group (31%; P < 0.001). The incidence of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe bleeding and abdominal pain were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Misoprostol (600 microg) administered at 12-hour intervals was associated with fewer adverse effects and was as effective as a 6-hour interval.     

Low-dose vaginal misoprostol in the management of intrauterine fetal death

Objectives.?To assess the effectiveness and side effects of vaginal misoprostol (Vagiprost® tablet) termination of second and third trimester pregnancy complicated with intrauterine fetal death (IUFD).

Design.?A prospective observational cohort study.

Setting.?Tanta University Hospital.

Patients.?The study carried out on 324 women with fetal demise in the second and third trimesters, from January 2008 to December 2009.

Intervention.?All patients were subjected to history taking, physical examination, and the Bishop Scoring. Application of 25?μg misoprostol in the posterior fornix of the vagina, this was repeated every 4 h over 24 h. We assessed the adverse effects, progress, and outcomes.

Results.?The success rate was 90% and 45% in women in the third and second trimesters, respectively. The mean induction-termination interval was 8.95?±?2.63 and 15.3?±?5.37 h for women in the third and second trimesters, respectively. The induction termination interval correlated negatively with the duration of gestation. Approximately, 90% of second trimester and 55% of third trimester women required oxytocin augmentation. The mean value of total required dose of misoprostol was 166.3?±?7.5 and 120?±?28.79?μg for women in the second and third trimesters, respectively.

Conclusion.?Vagiprost appears to be a safe, effective, practical, and inexpensive method for termination of third trimester pregnancy complicated with of IUFD.     

Vaginal misoprostol for pre-abortion cervical priming: is there an optimal evacuation time interval?

Objective To determine the optimal evacuation time interval in the use of vaginal misoprostol for cervical priming before first trimester termination of pregnancy.
Design Prospective double-blind randomised study.
Setting Fertility Control Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore.
Methods Sixty healthy nulliparous women requesting legal termination of pregnancy between 6 and 11 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated to either the 400 pg or 600 μg misoprostol group. Vacuum aspiration was performed after three hours in the 400 pg group and at the end of two hours in the women given 600 μg misoprostol. Using Hegar's dilator, degree of cervical dilatation before operation was measured. Other parameters assessed included the amount of additional dilatation required (if < Hegar 8), pre-operative and intra-operative blood loss, and associated side effects.
Results For the 600 pg group, only five women (16.7%) achieved a cervical dilatation of 2.8 nun, compared with 28 women (93.3%) in the 400 μg group. Using the 400 μg misoprostol group as a baseline, the odds ratio was 0.014 (95% CI 0.003–0.080) for 600 pg for successful pre-operative cervical dilatation of 2.8 mm. The mean cervical dilatation for 400 and 600 μg misoprostol was 8.1 mm and 6.6 mm, respectively (   P < 0.001  ). Despite the shorter evacuation time interval of two hours, the 600 μg dose was associated with an increase in side effects such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain and a fever of > 38.°C. However, other than abdominal pain, no significant differences in the frequency of these side effects were shown.
Conclusion Use of 400 μg misoprostol with a minimal evacuation time interval of three hours still appears the optimal dosage and evacuation time for cervical priming before fiist trimester termination of pregnancy.     

A randomised trial of oral versus vaginal administration of misoprostol for the purpose of mid-trimester termination of pregnancy

A prospective randomised controlled trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of two routes of administration, oral versus vaginal, of the prostaglandin E1 analogue misoprostol (Cytotec) to effect termination of pregnancy in the mid-trimester. Fifty-five women were recruited into the trial; 26 to receive all doses orally and 29 via the vaginal route. The dosing regimen was 400 microg as the initial dose followed by a second dose of 200 microg two hours later and then four-hourly 200 microg doses until delivery or 32 hours from commencement of treatment. If delivery had not been effected by the last dose of misoprostol, a Syntocinon infusion was started synchronously Misoprostol administered vaginally was significantly more effective than when administered orally as judged by induction-to-delivery interval and also the need or otherwise to augment therapy with a Syntocinon infusion. The average induction-to-delivery interval was 17.5 hours in the vaginal group compared to 33 hours in the oral group (p = 0.0003). The percentages of women who delivered at 24 and 48 hours were 93% and 100% in the vaginal administration group and 19% and 70% in the oral administration group (p < 0.05). No significant differences in complication rates or side effects were noted between the two groups     

A randomised study of misoprostol and gemeprost in combination with mifepristone for induction of abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy

Objective To compare the effectiveness of gemeprost and misoprostol as prostaglandins used in combination with mifepristone for induction of mid-trimester termination.
Design Randomised trial.
Setting Scottish teaching hospital.
Sample One hundred women undergoing abortion between 12 and 20 weeks.
Methods Each woman received 200 mg mifepristone and 36–48 hours later either 1 mg gemeprost vaginal pessary every 6 hours for 18 hours or  4 × 200 μg  misoprostol tablets vaginally followed by  2 × 200 μg  misoprostol tablets orally every 3 hours for 12 hours. Success was defined as the percentage of women aborted within 24 hours of the first administration of prostaglandin.
Main outcome measures Prostaglandin–abortion interval and side effects.
Results There were no significant differences in median prostaglandin–abortion interval between gemeprost (6.6 hours 95% CI 6.0–10.7) and misoprostol (6.1 hours 95% CI 5.5–7.5) (   P = 0.22  ). The cumulative abortion rates at 24 hours (96% vs 94%, respectively), the surgical evacuation rates (12% and 10%) and the incidence of vomiting, diarrhoea and pain were similar.
Conclusion Two hundred milligrammes of mifepristone followed 36–48 hours later by either vaginal gemeprost or misoprostol is a highly effective way of inducing abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy.     

A comparison of various routes and dosages of misoprostol for cervical ripening and the induction of labor

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of different routes of misoprostol administration for cervical ripening and the induction of labor. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred thirty women at > or = 32 weeks gestation with a Bishop score < or = 6 and an indication for induction were randomized to 1 of 3 double-blinded groups: (1) 25 microg orally administered misoprostol plus 25 microg vaginally administered misoprostol, (2) orally administered placebo plus 25 microg vaginally administered misoprostol, or (3) 25 microg orally administered misoprostol plus vaginally administered placebo. Doses were repeated every 4 hours until onset of labor or a maximum of 12 doses were given. The primary outcome of the trial was vaginal delivery within 24 hours of the initiation of induction. Secondary outcomes were the time from induction to delivery, need for oxytocin augmentation, mode of delivery, frequency of side effects, and neonatal and maternal outcome. Analysis of variance, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in maternal characteristics or indications for induction. The percentage of women who achieved vaginal delivery within 24 hours was highest in the vaginally administered misoprostol group: 67% compared with 53% in the oral-plus-vaginal group (P < .05) and 36% in the oral group (P < .05). The median time to vaginal delivery was shorter in the vaginal and oral-plus-vaginal misoprostol groups, 13.5 hours and 14.3 hours, respectively, when compared with 23.9 hours in the oral group (P < .05). The rate of cesarean delivery was lowest in the vaginal misoprostol group (17% compared with 30% in the oral-plus-vaginal group and 32% in the oral group; P < .05). Uterine tachysystole occurred least frequently in the oral misoprostol group (10% compared with 32% in the vaginal group and 34% in the oral-plus-vaginal group; P < .05). Uterine hyperstimulation also occurred least frequently in the oral misopro-stol group (4% compared with 15% in the vaginal group and 22% in the oral-plus-vaginal group; P < .05). CONCLUSION: At the doses studied, induction of labor with vaginally administered misoprostol is more efficacious than either oral-plus-vaginal or oral-only route of administration.     

Vaginal misoprostol for pre-abortion cervical priming: is there an optimal evacuation time interval?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal evacuation time interval in the use of vaginal misoprostol for cervical priming before first trimester termination of pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective double-blind randomised study. SETTING: Fertility Control Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore. METHODS: Sixty healthy nulliparous women requesting legal termination of pregnancy between 6 and 11 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated to either the 400 microg or 600 microg misoprostol group. Vacuum aspiration was performed after three hours in the 400 microg group and at the end of two hours in the women given 600 microg misoprostol. Using Hegar's dilator, degree of cervical dilatation before operation was measured. Other parameters assessed included the amount of additional dilatation required (if < Hegar 8), pre-operative and intra-operative blood loss, and associated side effects. RESULTS: For the 600 microg group, only five women (16.7%) achieved a cervical dilatation of > or = 8 mm, compared with 28 women (93.3%) in the 400 microg group. Using the 400 microg misoprostol group as a baseline, the odds ratio was 0.014 (95% CI 0.003-0.080) for 600 microg for successful pre-operative cervical dilatation of > or = 8 mm. The mean cervical dilatation for 400 and 600 microg misoprostol was 8.1 mm and 6.6 mm, respectively (P < 0.001). Despite the shorter evacuation time interval of two hours, the 600 microg dose was associated with an increase in side effects such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain and a fever of > 38.0 degrees C. However, other than abdominal pain, no significant differences in the frequency of these side effects were shown. CONCLUSION: Use of 400 microg misoprostol with a minimal evacuation time interval of three hours still appears the optimal dosage and evacuation time for cervical priming before first trimester termination of pregnancy.