Comparison of sequential vaginal and sublingual misoprostol after a vaginal loading dose for second-trimester abortion

Huang MC

Hsieh CH

Huang JP

Tsai HT

Lee MS

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Jun 2017

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effects of sequential vaginal and sublingual misoprostol after a vaginal loading dose for second-trimester abortion.

Materials and methods

From January 2006 to December 2011, 173 women received an 800-μg vaginal loading dose of misoprostol. After the loading dose, 103 patients received 800 mg of misoprostol vaginally and 70 patients received 400 mg of misoprostol sublingually every 12 h until the delivery of the fetus.

Results

In the vaginal group, the average abortion time was 1.07 ± 1.29 days; that was 0.82 ± 0.66 days in the sublingual group. Sequential sublingual misoprostol after a vaginal loading dose of 800 mg with an administration interval of 12 h had a similar abortion rate and time to abortion. In addition, this protocol reduced unnecessary digital pelvic examinations and speculum examinations.

Conclusion

This sequential sublingual misoprostol regimen might be a suitable regimen for mid-trimester abortion