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Comparing medical versus surgical termination of pregnancy at 13–20 weeks of gestation: a randomised controlled trial

Lookup NU author(s): Denise Howel, Professor Steve RobsonORCiD

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Abstract

Objective: To compare the psychological impact, acceptability and clinical effectiveness of medical versus surgical termination of pregnancy (TOP) at 13–20 weeks of gestation. Design: Randomised trial. Setting: Large UK tertiary centre. Sample: Women accepted for TOP at 13–20 weeks of gestation. Methods: Medical TOP (MTOP) using mifepristone and misoprostol or surgical TOP (STOP) by vacuum aspiration at <15 weeks of gestation, and by dilatation and evacuation at 15 or more weeks of gestation. Main outcome measures: Distress 2 weeks after TOP, measured by the impact of events scale (IES), and acceptability, measured by the proportion of women who would opt for the same procedure again. Results: One hundred and twenty two women were randomised: 60 to the MTOP group and 62 to the STOP group. Twelve women opted to continue their pregnancy. Follow-up rates were low (n = 66/110; 60%). At 2 weeks post-procedure there was no difference in total IES score between groups. However, compared with women undergoing STOP, women undergoing MTOP had a higher score on the IES intrusion subscale (mean difference 6.6; 95% CI 1.4–11.8), and a higher score on the general health questionnaire (GHQ) (P = 0.033). Women found STOP more acceptable: compared with MTOP, more women would opt for the same procedure again (100% versus 53%, P ≤ 0.001), and fewer women found the experience to be worse than expected (0% versus 53%, P = 0.001). Women who had MTOP experienced more bleeding (P = 0.003), more pain on the day of the procedure (P = 0.008), and more days of pain (P = 0.020). Of the 107 women who declined to participate, 58 (67%) preferred a STOP. Conclusions: Randomised trials of women requesting midtrimester TOP are challenging. Women found STOP less painful and more acceptable than MTOP.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Kelly T, Suddes J, Howel D, Hewison J, Robson SC

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Year: 2010

Volume: 117

Issue: 12

Pages: 1512-1520

Print publication date: 22/09/2010

ISSN (print): 1470-0328

ISSN (electronic): 1471-0528

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02712.x

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02712.x

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