THERAPEUTIC ABORTIONS

EFFICACY OF INTRA- VAGINAL MISOPROSTOL IN COMPARISON TO EXTRA AMNIOTICALLY ADMINISTERED PROSTAGLANDIN F2".

Abstract

Objectives: The study was conducted to compare intravaginal misoprostol
with extra amniotic prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2") for labour induction in therapeutic abortions from 10-28 weeks
gestation. Design: A prospective study experimental. Setting At Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Period: From
March–December 2002. Materials & Methods: 68 patients with indications for therapeutic termination. Groups were
assigned through non-probability convenient sampling procedure. In one group 200:g of misoprostol in the form of
Tab Arthrotec 50 was administered every two hours up to three doses. Other group of patients had received extraamniotic
PGF2" solution. Main outcome measures were induction-abortion interval, cost-effectiveness and the
frequency of side effects. Induction was considered successful where abortion was achieved within 24 hours. Results:
The average induction-abortion interval in the misoprostol group was 16.09±9.38hours.Successful abortions were
achieved in 79.41 percent(27/34).Total failures were seven of 34 cases. In the PGF2" group, all women aborted within
20.24±11.57 hours, 76.47 percent (26/34) of which aborted within 24 hours. Conclusion: The acceptable expulsion
time, clinically insignificant side effects and the abortion rate obtained, showed that misoprostol by vaginal
administration may be an alternative method for interrupting gestation of 10-28 weeks.