“EFFICACY OF INTRAVAGINAL MISOPROSTOL FOR MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY UP TO 12 WEEKS”

Objectives: (1) To ascertain the success of intravaginal misoprostol for medical termination of failed pregnancy up to
12 weeks. (2) To find out the side effects of misoprostol in our population.
Methodology: A descriptive study was done in Gynae “A” Unit, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar for a ten months
(January to October 2013). Fifty women with less than 12 weeks gestation and women in whom fetal demise/pregnancy
failure (missed abortion, blighted ovum) after confirmation were included in the study, were received misoprostol
vaginally. The dose was repeated at three hours interval, until adequate contraction or cervical ripening achieved. First
dose was 800 mcg (4 tablets) and remaining three doses were 400 mcg (2 tablets) each (maximum dose 2000 mcg).
Results: Out of 50 patients 78% were between 21-30 years, 12% were between 15-20 years, and 10% were between
31-40 years of age. Missed abortion was commonest indications for termination of pregnancy in 72% cases. Blighted
ovum was the second indication in 28% cases. Outcome of misoprostol administration was successful in 68% cases.
In 40% cases mild to severe per vaginal bleeding was reported during induction of abortion. Nausea and vomiting was
observed in 16% patients, 12% patients had pyrexia. In 8% cases diarrhea was noted.
Conclusion: Success rate of abortion was 68%. Mild to severe per vaginal bleeding was commonest side effect of
misoprostol in 40% patients. Less common side effects were nausea and vomiting, pyrexia, and diarrhea.
Key Words: Misoprostol; termination of pregnancy; medical; missed-abortions; side-effects. Prostaglandins E1.