Comparison of two misoprostol regimens for mid-trimester pregnancy terminations after FIGO's misoprostol dosage recommendation in 2012.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of two misoprostol regimens for mid-trimester pregnancy terminations.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 263 cases of pregnancy terminations with misoprostol between 12 and 24 weeks was performed. Group 1 (total 129 patients) consisted of patients who were given 200 mcg vaginal misoprostol every 4 h until the abortion, whereas Group 2 patients (total 134 patients) were given misoprostol as in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics's (FIGO) 2012 recommendation. In case of a previous cesarean section doses were halved in both groups. Primary outcomes of the study were the time to abortion and the total drug dose used. Secondary outcome was the rate of complications.

RESULTS: Total dose and time to abortion did not differ between the groups. As for complications, one patient (%0.8) in group 1 developed HELLP syndrome and had hysterotomy. One patient (%0.8) in group 2 had uterine rupture and had total hysterectomy. Two patients in both groups considered failure of induction and terminated with surgery (hysterotomy). Groups did not show difference in induction failure rates.

CONCLUSIONS: We respect the presence of dose recommendation stated by the FIGO and found similar results with our recent protocol. Other misoprostol regimens used worldwide should also be compared with this guideline in order to improve its efficacy.