Comparison of therapeutic abortion efficacy by suction curettage and misoprostol vaginally in the first trimester of pregnancy

This study compared the health outcomes of abortion by vaginal misoprostol tablets and suction curettage in the first trimester of pregnancy. In this study, 220 pregnant women (under 14 week’s gestational age) who candidate for termination of pregnancy (due to fetal or maternal reasons) were divided into the treatment and surgery groups. In the medical abortion group, 600 μg vaginal misoprostol was given, then 36 hours later if needed this dose was repeated. However, if the remains of the pregnancy were observed by ultrasound 1 week after the initial dose, the curettage was done. Suction curettage was used in the surgical abortion group. In general, 79% of treatment group had a complete abortion without the need for surgical abortion. In all subjects of surgical groups, all products of pregnancy with surgical curettage were fully discharged. The mean satisfaction from amount of bleeding in the drug and medical abortion groups was 80% and 84%, respectively with no statistical difference.The obtained results showed that misoprostol as an effective alternative to surgical termination of pregnancy can be used at the first trimester abortions.