1. Shagufta Shaheen 2. Noor Nasir Khattak 3. Tahira Parveen

1. Asstt. Prof. of of Gynae & Obst, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar 2. Assoc. Prof. of Gynae & Obst, Kohat

Institute of Medical Sciences, Kohat 3. Asstt. Prof. of Pharmacology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar 

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of vaginal Misoprostol for the second trimester termination of pregnancy. 

Study Design: Prospective randomized trial. 

Place & Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Unit of Post Graduate Medical Institution Peshawar / Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from 1^st January till 31^st December 2006.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients were included in this study. Misoprostol 400 microgram, was administered intra-vaginally and repeated after every 4 hours up to a maximum of five doses or until the termination of pregnancy, which ever was earlier. The exclusion criteria were as allergy to prostaglandin, a previous classic caesarean section or Hysterectomy, active vaginal bleeding, severe asthma and epilepsy. 

Results: Period of gestation ranged from 12 to 20 weeks. Indications for 2^nd trimester termination of pregnancy were chromosomal or structural fetal anomalies (anencephaly) whether dead or alive, missed abortion intrauterine fetal death. Success rate at 48 hours was 90%. The median induction to termination interval was 16 hours. Few women suffered gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea (6%), vomiting (3%) and diarrhea (1%). 

Conclusion: 400 Microgram of Vaginal Misoprostol is highly effective way of cervical ripening and termination of