Patient preference in a randomized study comparing medical and surgical abortion at 10-13 weeks gestation

The aim of this study was to assess women's preferences and acceptability of medical (MA) and surgical abortion (SA) at 10-13 weeks gestation. This was a partially randomized patient preference trial. Women were offered to enter the randomized arm of the trial. Those who expressed a strong preference for a method were entered into the preference arm. A total of 368 women were randomized (188 medical and 180 surgical) while 77 entered the preference arm (15 medical and 62 surgical). Prior to abortion, 253 women (72%) indicated a preference for MA while 98 (28%) showed a preference for surgery (p<.0001). Despite having a preference for a particular method, women were content with alternatives. Women were more likely to choose the same abortion method again if they had shown a preference for that method prior to abortion (p=.002 and .01 for MA and SA, respectively). The availability of MA is an important option for many women who wish to avoid surgery or anesthesia and should now be offered routinely in the late first trimester.