The effect of oral misoprostol onpain scores, duration and amount of vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickness following surgical evacuation for first trimester abortion

Evacuation and curettage is a widely used method for management of first trimester abortion. This study was conducted to compare the effect of oral misoprostol on pain scores، duration and amount of vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickness following surgical evacuation for first trimester abortion. This was a clinical trial on 120 patients who underwent surgical evacuation for first trimester abortion. The patients were randomized in two groups to receive either 200 microgram of oral misoprostol immediately and 6 hours after evacuation or no misoprostol. The two groups، were compared for pain severity 6 and 24 hours and 10 days after operation. Duration and amount of bleeding and endometrial thickness were assessed 10 days after surgery. The mean duration of vaginal bleeding was 3. 5 ± 1. 5 days in observation group، which was shortened as compared with 5. 8 ±2. 3 days in control group (P <0. 001). Amount of vaginal bleeding was reduced (5. 7 ± 1. 8 vs. 8. 6 ± 2. 1، P < 0. 001). Endometrial thickness 10 days after evacuation was less (5. 2 ± 1. 3 vs. 7. 1 ± 1. 6، P < 0. 001). But significant difference was not seen inpain scores in two groups. 200 microgram oral misoprostol immediately and 6 hours after surgical evacuation for first trimester abortion is effective in reducing duration and amount of vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickness.