A Randomised Comparison of Oral and Vaginal Misoprostol for Medical Management of First Trimester Missed Abortion

ABSTRACT

The present study was done to compare the safety and efficacy of misoprostol administered orally and vaginally for medical management of first trimester missed abortion. 100 women with diagnosed missed abortion were taken for this prospective study. Group A comprised of 50 women who were given oral misoprostol and another 50 in-group B were administered vaginal misoprostol. Clinical outcome, time taken for expulsion, number of doses required, side effects and cervical permeability were compared in two groups. Eighty percent in group B and 36% in group A had successful clinical outcome (p=0.000008). 16.6% in group A and 22.5% in group B expelled with a single dose while 50% and 77.5% expelled with complete schedule. Mean duration of expulsion was significantly higher in group A as compared to group B. Nearly ninety percent of women in both groups had good cervical permeability. Side effects were more common in group A. Hence vaginal misoprostol was found to be more effective and safer as compared to oral misoprostol.