A randomized controlled comparison of sublingual and vaginal administration of misoprostol for cervical priming before first-trimester surgical abortion.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the sublingual and vaginal administration of misoprostol for cervical priming before surgical termination of pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

In a randomized controlled trial, 74 primigravid women who were undergoing surgical abortion were assigned randomly to receive misoprostol (400 microg) sublingually or vaginally.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in the cumulative force that was required to dilate the cervix to 9 mm, for baseline cervical dilatation, for priming to abortion interval, for operating time, or for intraoperative blood loss between the two groups. Women in the sublingual group had more nausea (P=.008), vomiting (P=.01), diarrhea (P=.01), and unpleasant mouth taste (P=.0001) compared with the women in the vaginal group. In the sublingual group, 65% of women were satisfied with the route of misoprostol administration compared with 78% in the vaginal group (P=.11). Most of the staff members (84%) said that they would recommend the sublingual administration of misoprostol (P=.0001).

CONCLUSION

The sublingual administration of misoprostol is an effective alternative to vaginal administration for cervical priming before surgical abortion; despite a higher incidence of side effects, there was high patient and staff acceptability.