Mifepristone followed by misoprostol for induction of second trimester abortion- what are the advantages?

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study is to find the optimal protocol for medical second trimester abortion (2TA). Methods The study includes patients between gestational ages 13–23 weeks, who underwent 2TA between the years 2015–2018. A hundred and eighteen patients received Mifepristone 600 mg followed by misoprostol 800 mcg (study group), and 60 patients received misoprostol 800 mcg alone (control group). Results Success was observed in 80.5% of the study group versus 48.3% in the control group, with significance of p < 0.001. The control group showed much larger usage of other various modalities, a significant higher complication rate (8.3% vs 1.7%) and more decline in haemoglobin levels (11% vs 8%). Multiparous women were more likely to achieve a successful abortion, while each additional pregnancy multiplied the chance by 1.4. Conclusion Using mifepristone 600mg followed by misoprostol 800 mcg, significantly raises the success in 2TA, reduces the complication rate and reduces the need for other modalities.