Vaginal misoprostol vs intramuscular carboprost in first trimester abortion

Abstract

Background: A number of conditions demands first trimester abortions including medical and social causes. This study was mainly undertaken in order to compare the oral misoprostol with the intramuscular carboprost for cervical ripening in suction evacuation for medical termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks of gestation. Material and methods: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of misoprostol over carboprost in first trimester abortions for cervical ripening. A total 120 pregnant women were randomized in to two equal groups where one group received oral misoprostol and another group received intramuscular carboprost. Two groups were studied and compared for the baseline characteristics, induction abortion interval, cervical dilation, blood loss and complications. Results: The mean age of misoprostol group was 26.2 years and carboprost group was 25.8 years. There was no statistically significant difference in marital status, gravidity, parity and gestational age in this study. Incomplete abortion was the common cause of abortion in both the groups. The induction abortion interval was 195.2 minutes in misoprostol group and 89.9 minutes in carboprost group. The mean cervical dilation was 8.35 minutes in misoprostol group and 9.31 minutes in carboprost group.