Comparison of between Efficacy of Intravaginal Misoprostol and Intravenous Sulprostone in Termination of Second Trimester Pregnancy

Kim, Jong In; Bae, Jung Man

Abstract

To compare the efficiency, success rate and abortion time of applications of intravaginal misoprostol versus intravenous Sulprostone(Nalador) for mid-trimester pregnancy termination. Eighty three patients between 17-29 weeks of gestation with medical, obstetric, or genetic reasons for termination of pregnancy were randomized to receive either 50 ug tablets of misoprostol placed in the posterior vaginal fomix or 1,000ug sulprostone intravenously diluted I L of isotonic saline solution given as a 12-h infusion. Among eighty three patients recruited, fourty five patients received misoprostol and thirty eight patients received sulprostone intravenously. The average interval from start of induction to vaginal delivery was 13.35+/-3.34 hours in misoprostol group and 21.14+/-6.64 hours in the sulprostone group. The success rate of complete termination within 12 and 24 hours in misoprostol group were 57.7%, 93.3%, respectively, while in sulprostone group were 15.8%, 92.1% respectively. Oxytocin augumentation was 6.7% in misoprostol group and 7.9% in the sulprostone group. No serious complication occurred. Intravaginal misoprostol appears to be acceptably safe and effective agents for second trimester pregnancy termination. Misoprostol has the advantage of being inexpensive, easily stored and readily available. The regimen of 100 ug misoprostol inserted intracervicovaginally every 8 hours is the optimal method for pregnancy termination.