Misoprostol-induced termination of second-trimester pregnancy in women with a history of cesarean section: A retrospective analysis of 56 cases

Objective: To assess the effectivity and safety of misoprostol induced termination of pregnancy in the second trimester in women with a history of previous caesarean section. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of case records from the obstetrics and gynecology department of a tertiary care center between January 2009 and February 2012 was performed. Data derived from 219 women, who underwent a second trimester termination of pregnancy was analyzed in terms of demographics, clinical findings, laboratory and procedural data. The study group consisted of 56 women with a previous caesarean section and the control group was composed of 163 women without such a history Termination of pregnancies was conducted by administration of misoprostol at doses of 50-600 mcg intravaginally or by surgical evacuation in cases of failure of medical measures. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of demographics such as age, menarche, number of pregnancies or live births, smoking habit and co-morbidities. Necessity for blood transfusion (p=0.05) and additional procedure for abortion (p=0.056) were found to be similar in both groups. However, laparotomy (p=0.004), uterine rupture (p=0.016), hysterotomy (p<0.001) were performed more frequently in the study group; while abortion was more likely to occur within 24 hours in the control group (p=0.031). Conclusion: Medical abortion must be carefully used for the termination of second trimester pregnancies in women with a history of CS. Increased possibility of uterine rupture and requirement of interventions such as laparotomy or hysterotomy is more likely in these patients.