TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

O b j e c t i v e : To compare the efficacy of vaginal misoprostal with that of sublingual misoprostol in 2n d trimester of pregnancyby comparing the induction-expulsion interval between two groups of patients induced with vaginal and sublingual misoprostol. S t u dyd e s i g n : Interventional, quasi experimental study. Settings: Obstetrics & Gynaecology Unit 1, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Durationof s t u d y : Thirteen months from October 2006 to November 2007. S u b j e c t s a n d M e t h o d s : Sixty women at 12-26 weeks of gestation whichwere selected for termination of pregnancy were assigned into two groups. Thirty women received sublingual misoprostol and thirty womenreceived vaginal misoprostol. Dosage regimen was tablet Misoprostol 200fjg 4 hours apart till expulsion of fetus (maximum 5 doses). Mainoutcome measures were: 1. Induction-expulsion intervals 2. Maternal side effects 3. Fever 4. Nausea/vomiting 5.Diarrhea. R e s u l t s : Meaninduction-expulsion interval in vaginal group was 11.8±8.3 hours and in the sublingual group was 12.8±8.5 hours. Percentage of completeexpulsion was 53.3% in both groups. Cases of failed induction in vaginal group were 10% and in sublingual group were 13.3%. One case(3.3%) of fever and two cases (6.6%) of vomiting were observed in sublingual group and one case (3.3%) of vomiting was observed invaginal group. C o n c l u s i o n : Both routes appear to be equally efficacious for mid trimester pregnancy termination, without significant sideeffects.