Oral 600mg misoprostol vs manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for the management of incomplete abortion- a randomized controlled trail

Approximately one in five recognized pregnancies are spontaneously miscarried in the first trimester and an additional 22% end in induced abortion. Incomplete abortion occurs when there are retained products of conception (POC) after induced abortion (whether by unsafe or safe methods) or after spontaneous abortion, also known as miscarriage. Some women may resort to self-induction. These conditions increase the likelihood that women will experience abortion complications and will seek treatment for incomplete terminations. Incomplete abortion can be treated with expectant management, which allows for spontaneous evacuation of the uterus, or active management, using surgical or medical methods. Expectant management is not preferred by many providers due to its relatively low efficacy and the fact that the time interval to spontaneous expulsion is unpredictable. The study was performed in a Durgapur Steel plant hospital, a tertiary care Hospital in West Bengal, India. The institute caters a huge area, both rural and urban. The study was done between 1st January2019 to 31st October 2020. Study population was drawn from patients attended OPD and patients admitted with incomplete abortions, either of spontaneous or, induced etiology in the Dept. Of Obst, & Gynae, Durgapur Steel plant hospital. A total of 80 women were randomised to either a single dose of 600 micrograms of oral misoprostol or MVA. 160 women were recruited to the trial, of which 80 women were grouped into misoprostol group & another 80 to MVA group. Immediately after abortion, all the patients were available & data collected from all the patients. But during next follow-up after 1-2 wk, 33 in the MVA group & 27 in the misoprostol group did not come (Lost to follow up n=33) for follow-up. So, approximately 41% (33) of participants in MVA group & 34% (27) in the misoprostol group were lost to follow-up. In our study both MVA & Misoprostol groups had similar age distribution. Mean age in MVA group 23.5 years (± 4.5) and in MISO group 23.4 Years (± 4.8). For treatment of first-trimester uncomplicated incomplete abortion, both manual vacuum aspiration and 600 µg oral misoprostol are safe, effective, and acceptable treatments. However, misoprostol appears to be somewhat better option than MVA, in regards to availability, low cost of therapy, less pain, less need of expert manpower or specialised instruments.