Second trimester abortion using intravaginal misoprostol

Objective: To find the effective dose of intravaginal misoprostol to induce second trimester abortion. Methods: Intravaginal misoprostol in 200-mu g, 400-mu g and 600-mu g doses were applied at 12-h intervals in 150 consecutive pregnancies. Results: The 48-h successful abortion rate was 70.6 %, 82 % and 96 %, respectively, and these rates were unaffected by parity. The mean induction to abortion interval was 45.0 +/- 41.5, 33.4 +/- 34.9 and 22.3 +/- 14.3 h, respectively. The mean dose of misoprostol required to induce abortion was 416.7 mu g, 772.8 mu g and 1296 mu g. The rate of nausea and vomiting was 3.9 %, 12 % and 20 %. The diarrhea occurrence rate was 0 %, 6 % and 22 % with temperature elevation 0 %, 2 % and 28 %, respectively. The rate of incomplete abortion was 35.3 %, 28 % and 22 %, respectively. Conclusion: The 600-mu g dose is more effective as an abortifacient agent for second trimester abortion in terms of 48-h success rate and the rate of incomplete abortion but with more side effects. However, the side effects were mild and did not warrant any specific treatment. (C) 1998 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.