Therapeutic Efficacy of Misoprostol versus Ethacridine Lactate in Second Trimester Abortion Randomised Controlled Study

Background: Abortion is a major health and social issue in our country .Techniques for abortions are highly varied in different areas of country. Present study is to compare newer abortificient misoprostol versus traditionally used ethacridine lactate method. Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of misoprostol as a second trimester abortificient and to compare it with ethacridine lactate. Methods: This is a prospective study of 100 women with 12 20 weeks of gestation. Inclusions were according to MTP Act. 400ug misoprostol was inserted vaginally followed by 200ug every 4 hourly in study group (n=50).150-200ml of ethacridine lactate was injected extraamniotically in control group (n=50).Latent phase, active phase and induction abortion interval was noted and compared Results: Average induction abortion interval was 12.24 hours in misoprostol as compared to 27.6 hours in ethacridine lactate (P value <0.01). The women undergoing D & E due to incomplete abortion was higher with ethacridine group 12( 24%) as compared to misoprostol group 8 (14%) (P <0.05). Conclusion: Misoprostol is faster, convenient, and safer than ethacridine lactate for 2nd trimester abortion. [Natl J of Med Res 2013; 3(1.000): 16-18]