Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2016  |  Volume : 33  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 201--204

Experiences in the use of misoprostol in the management of first trimester missed abortion in a low resource setting


MA Abdul1, HO Palmer2, B Aminu2, H Ismail2, A Kadas2 
1 Reproductive Health and General Gynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abubakar Tafawa Balawa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
M A Abdul
Reproductive Health and General Gynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria

Background: The use of misoprostol in the management of first trimester abortion is an evolving clinical practice in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To determine the effectiveness and acceptability of misoprostol in the evacuation of the uterus in first trimester missed abortion. Study Design: This was a non-randomized trial. Setting: This study was conducted in the Gynecologic Unit, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Consented consecutive patients with first trimester missed abortion were recruited in the study. Each patient was given sublingual misoprostol 600 µg to be repeated after 6 hours if abortion process was not initiated. They were followed-up after two weeks and offered contraceptive counseling. However, if active vaginal bleeding persisted, patients were reviewed after 1 week, scanned and offered surgical evacuation (manual vacuum aspiration) on confirmation of residual products of conception. Telephone review was conducted for patients who defaulted follow-up. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16. P value was considered significant at a < 0.05 at 95% CI. Results: Sixty-one patients with missed abortion were managed between 1 st January and December 2013 with a mean age, parity and gestational age of 27.6 ± 5.6 years, 3.6 ± 2.3 and 7.6 ± 2.0 weeks, respectively. Fifty-six patients (92%) achieved complete evacuation. Mean interval between the first dose of misoprostol and abortion was 5.1 ± 2.2 hours and mean duration of vaginal bleeding was 5.9 ± 1.6 days (range: 3-14 days). Side effects were minor mainly nausea/vomiting, and all the patients with complete evacuation showed satisfaction with the method and preferred it to surgical evacuation. Conclusion: Misoprostol is very effective in the management of first trimester missed abortion in our setting and should be the treatment method of first choice.


How to cite this article:
Abdul M A, Palmer H O, Aminu B, Ismail H, Kadas A. Experiences in the use of misoprostol in the management of first trimester missed abortion in a low resource setting.Trop J Obstet Gynaecol 2016;33:201-204


How to cite this URL:
Abdul M A, Palmer H O, Aminu B, Ismail H, Kadas A. Experiences in the use of misoprostol in the management of first trimester missed abortion in a low resource setting. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol [serial online] 2016 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];33:201-204
Available from: https://www.tjogonline.com/article.asp?issn=0189-5117;year=2016;volume=33;issue=2;spage=201;epage=204;aulast=Abdul;type=0