Randomized outpatient clinical trial of medical evacuation and surgical curettage in incomplete miscarriage

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of misoprostol in outpatient medical evacuation with surgical curettage in uncomplicated incomplete spontaneous miscarriage.

Methods: Eighty women with a history of vaginal bleeding, and passage of some products of the conceptus were randomized into two groups. Forty patients in Group 1 received 200 microg misoprostol q.i.d. after the application of 200 microg intravaginal misoprostol for 5 days; 40 patients in Group 2 had a surgical curettage performed. All of the patients were re-evaluated after 10 days. The success rates, mean number of days of bleeding, mean decreases in hemoglobin levels, the complications and the rates of patient dissatisfaction in the two groups were compared.

Results: The success rate in the misoprostol-administered group was 95% [corrected]. Although the mean number of days of bleeding was significantly higher in the misoprostol-administered group, the mean decreases in hemoglobin values in the two groups were not significantly different. The patient dissatisfaction rate was 2.5% in the misoprostol group, compared to 35% in the control group. The difference between the two groups was significant.

Conclusions: The use of misoprostol in the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated incomplete spontaneous miscarriage is safe and effective and can be an alternative to surgical evacuation and expectant management.