Skip to main content
Log in

Comparison Between Sublingual and Vaginal Administration of Misoprostol in Management of Missed Abortion

  • Original Article
  • Published:
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

The aim of the present study is to compare between sublingual administration of misoprostol and vaginal administration in the management of missed abortion.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in El-Shatby Maternity Hospital on 160 patients diagnosed as missed abortion by ultrasonographic examination. Cases were divided into two groups according to the methods of misoprostol administration, whether sublingual or vaginal. Patients of the two groups were observed for the times of uterine colic starting, cervical dilation, and conceptus expulsion, along with recording of any side effects.

Result

During the follow-up of our cases we found that sublingual route is more effective than vaginal route in the management of missed abortion. The difference between the two groups in percentage of conceptus expulsion was statistically significant. The most common side effects were nausea which was present in 55 % of cases in group I (sublingual) and in 40 % of cases in group II (vaginal) then severe pain in 25 % of cases in group I (sublingual) and in 20 % of cases in group II (vaginal) and hyperpyrexia in 15 % of cases in group I (sublingual) and in 5 % of cases in group II (vaginal).

Conclusion

Sublingual administration of misoprostol is more effective than its vaginal administration in missed abortion management. Side effect of misoprostol as nausea, vomiting, fever is more common with sublingual administration in comparison with its vaginal administration.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alberma E, Grudzinskas G, Chardt G. Spontaneous abortion: diagnosis and treatment. London: Springer; 1992. p. 9–20.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Grimes DA, Stuart G. Abortion jabberwocky: the need for better terminology. Contraception. 2010;81(2):93–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, Halvorson LM, et al. First-trimester abortion. In: Schorge JO, Schaffer JI, editors. Williams Gynecology. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Geyman JP, Oliver LM, Sullivan SD. Expectant, medical, or surgical treatment of spontaneous abortion in first trimester of pregnancy? A pooled quantitative literature evaluation. J Am Board Fam Pract. 1999;12(1):55–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Chung TK, Cheung LP, Sahota DS, et al. Spontaneous abortion: short-term complications following either conservative or surgical management. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1998;38(1):61–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Scroggins KM, Smucker WD, Krishen AE. Spontaneous pregnancy loss: evaluation, management, and follow-up counseling. Prim Care. 2000;27(1):153–67.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kripke C. Expectant management vs. surgical treatment for miscarriage. Am Fam Physician. 2006;74(7):1125–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Davies NM, Longstreth J, Jamali F. Misoprostol therapeutics revisited. Pharmacotherapy. 2001;21(1):60–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Denison FC, Calder AA, Kelly RW. The action of prostaglandin E2 on the human cervix: stimulation of interleukin 8 and inhibition of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999;180(3 Pt 1):614–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Shah N, Azam SI, Khan NH. Sublingual versus vaginal misoprostol in the management of missed miscarriage. J Pak Med Assoc. 2010;60(2):113–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Doubilet PM, Benson CB, Bourne T, et al. Diagnostic criteria for nonviable pregnancy early in the first trimester. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(15):1443–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Weeks AD, Fiala C, Safar P. Misoprostol and the debate over off-label drug use. BJOG Int J Obstet Gynaecol. 2005;112:269–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. El-Sayed MM, Mohammed SA, Jones MH. Expectant management of first-trimester miscarriage. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009;29(8):681–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Chia KV, Ogbo VI. Medical termination of missed abortion. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2002;22(2):184–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Tanha FD, Feizi M, Shariat M. Sublingual versus vaginal misoprostol for the management of missed abortion. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2010;36(3):525–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hossam Hassan Aly Hassan El Sokkary.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

None.

Ethical approval

It meets ethical guidelines as the manuscript has been approved by ethics committee of Alexandria medical school, and a written consent has been taken from all patients about participation in research.

Additional information

Dr. Hossam Hassan Aly Hassan El Sokkary is Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. He was Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residents, El Shatby Alexandria University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt in 20 October 1996 to 19 October 1999. He was Assistant Lecturer in 4 January 2004 to 22 September 2008.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

El Sokkary, H.H.A.H. Comparison Between Sublingual and Vaginal Administration of Misoprostol in Management of Missed Abortion. J Obstet Gynecol India 66 (Suppl 1), 24–29 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-015-0757-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-015-0757-y

Keywords

Navigation