Combined use of intracervical foley catheter and vaginal misoprostol for termination of second trimester pregnancy: a three-year observational study

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of intracervical foley catheter and vaginal misoprostol versus vaginal misoprostol for termination of second trimester pregnancy. Methods: This clinical study was conducted on 200 pregnant patients intended for termination of pregnancy between 13-24 gestational weeks for any indication. Enrolled women were equally allocated into two groups: Group I (Misoprostol group): a standard regimen of moistened misoprostol tablets (400 μg) 4 hourly inserted vaginally. Group II (Combined group): intracervical Foley catheter inserted with a standard regimen of moistened misoprostol tablets (400 μg) 4 hourly intravaginally was used. Procedure efficacy (defined as complete abortion performed on site), safety and acceptability were assessed. Results: The induction to abortion interval was 8.16 ± 1.52 hours in the combined group compared to 12.76 ± 1.63 hours in the misoprostol group (P value<0.001) with success rate of 96% in the combined group and no major complications reported. Conclusions: Combined use of intracervical foley catheter and vaginal misoprostol is a novel safe, effective and acceptable method for termination of second trimester pregnancy. Correspondence to: Mohamed Rezk, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt, Tel: 00201006237186, E-mail : [email protected]; [email protected]