Mifepristone Followed by Misoprostol or Ethacridine Lactate and Oxytocin for Second Trimester Abortion: A Randomized Trial

Objective: To compare two medical methods for second-trimester abortion, mifepristone followed by misoprostol versus mifepristone followed by ethacridine lactate and oxytocin for success rate, induction to abortion time and acceptability.

Materials and methods: This is a randomized trial conducted from July 2014 to May 2016 and enrolled 120 women undergoing second trimester abortion (13-20 weeks). All patients received 200mg mifepristone orally and were randomized to receive further treatment after 36 hrs. Patients in Group M (n=60) received 400 microgram of misoprostol vaginally every 3 hours (maximum - 5 doses) and Group E (n=60) had extra-amniotic ethacridine lactate instillation followed by oxytocin infusion (max-100miu).

Results: Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable in both the groups. Success rate was 100% in group M and 98.3% in group E (p=0.31). Mean induction to abortion time was significantly shorter in group M than group E (8.2+2.3hours & 10.9+2.6 hours respectively; p=0.001). Majority of women reported side effects, 96.7% women in group M and 75% women in group E (p=0.001). Fall in hemoglobin after procedure was significantly higher in group M (0.70+0.33gram %) than group E (0.52+0.23 gram %) (p=0.001). Perception of intensity of pain was significantly more in group M but patient satisfaction in both groups was similar.

Conclusion: Both methods are comparable for success rate, induction interval was more for ethacridine lactate compared to misoprostol.