Late second-trimester abortions induced with mifepristone, misoprostol and oxytocin: a report of 428 consecutive cases

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to assess efficacy and safety of administering 200 mg of mifepristone between 36 and 48 h before the insertion of 800 mcg of vaginal misoprostol to induce late second-trimester abortion between 19.1 and 25.6 weeks gestation.Study designA consecutive series of 428 women who requested a termination of their pregnancy between 19.1 and 25.6 weeks of gestation were analyzed.MethodsEach woman received 200 mg of mifepristone orally between 36 and 48 h before the vaginal administration of 800 mcg of misoprostol and the insertion of two Dilapan intracervical tents if the gynecologist deemed necessary. Four hours after misoprostol, amniorrhexis was performed and intravenous oxytocin infusion started. The variables for assessing efficacy were the number of complete abortion without dilation and evacuation (D&E) and the time elapsed since misoprostol administration until the abortion.ResultsComplete abortion without surgery occurred in 387/428 (90.4%) subjects, and the mean time for misoprostol to abortion was 6.9±3.1 (SD) h. In 32/428 (7.5%) patients, it was necessary to administer a second 600-mcg misoprostol dose. The mean total oxytocin used was 9.7±7.9 (SD) IU. In 41/428 (9.6%) women, the abortion process was completed by D&E. A uterine rupture occurred in one woman with a previous cesarean section.ConclusionThe method of abortion that combined mifepristone, misoprostol and oxytocin was effective for interrupting pregnancies between 19.1 and 25.6 weeks of gestation. It is advisable to be well trained in D&E technique in case of possible failures and/or abortion inductions that are excessively prolonged.