Publication:

Comparative study of foley’s catheter and misoprostol versus mifepristone and misoprostol in induction of midtrimester abortions: a retrospective study

Background To compare the efficacy and safety of intracervical Foley’s catheter and misoprostol versus mifepristone and misoprostol induction of midtrimester abortions.

Methods I conducted a retrospective comparative study at a university affliated tertiary hospital at the postpartum unit of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Government Medical College, Amritsar from January 2022 to December 2023. Records were available for 80 patients who underwent midtrimester abortion. The enrolled women were allocated in two groups. Group A comprised women who underwent induction with combined intracervical Foley’s catheter and misoprostol (n=42). Group B included women who underwent midtrimester abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol (n=38). The procedure efficacy and safety of the procedure were assessed.

Results There was complete foetal expulsion in all cases in Group A (100%) while the success rate was 89.47%in Group B. The induction to abortion (IAI) interval was significantly shorter in Group A than Group B (6.66±1.1 versus 9.42±2.69hours, p=.000). Group A had shorter insertion to balloon expulsion time (7.80±0.87). The women with nulliparity, longer interpregnancy interval (>22 months), smaller gestational age (just 14 weeks) and lower Bishop Score before insertion (<2) had poorer outcome.

Conclusions The present results confirmed that a combined mechanical and pharmacological approach for midtrimester abortions has comparable efficacy and safety to induction with vaginal mifepristone and misoprostol and can be safely recommended. Further, it reduces the total dosage of misoprostol required for termination and shortens the termination interval, thereby increasing the patient comfort and is more affordable.