Silent rupture of unscarred uterus: an unusual presentation at second trimester abortion

Mifepristone Followed by Misoprostol or Ethacridine Lactate and Oxytocin for Second Trimester Abortion: A Randomized Trial

Objective

To compare two medical methods for second-trimester abortion, mifepristone followed by misoprostol versus mifepristone followed by ethacridine lactate and oxytocin for success rate, induction to abortion time and acceptability.

Materials and Methods

This is a randomized trial conducted from July 2014 to May 2016 and enrolled 120 women undergoing second trimester abortion (13-20 weeks). All patients received 200mg mifepristone orally and were randomized to receive further treatment after 36 hrs. Patients in Group M (n=60) received 400 microgram of misoprostol vaginally every 3 hours (maximum - 5 doses) and Group E (n=60) had extra-amniotic ethacridine lactate instillation followed by oxytocin infusion (max-100miu).

Results

Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable in both the groups. Success rate was 100% in group M and 98.3% in group E (p=0.31). Mean induction to abortion time was significantly shorter in group M than group E (8.2+2.3hours & 10.9+2.6 hours respectively; p=0.001). Majority of women reported side effects, 96.7% women in group M and 75% women in group E (p=0.001). Fall in hemoglobin after procedure was significantly higher in group M (0.70+0.33gram %) than group E (0.52+0.23 gram %) (p=0.001). Perception of intensity of pain was significantly more in group M but patient satisfaction in both groups was similar.

Conclusion

Both methods are comparable for success rate, induction interval was more for ethacridine lactate compared to misoprostol.

Silent uterine rupture in scarred uterus

Uterine rupture in pregnancy is a rare and catastrophic complication with a high incidence of fetal and maternal morbidity. Very few cases have been reported in the literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 28-year-old fifth gravid woman with a history of one caesarean section presented to our department at 39 weeks and 6 days gestation with complaints of headache, epigastric pain and nausea. Her blood pressure was elevated and there was proteinuria. Emergency caesarean section was performed in view of symptoms. Uterine rupture was found during the surgery. A live male infant was delivered in good condition. Postnatal recovery was unremarkable and the woman discharged on postoperative day 5.

CONCLUSION

Rupture of the uterus can present in third trimester even before labour with minimal or no symptoms.

Clinical guidelines. Labor induction abortion in the second trimester

Labor induction abortion is effective throughout the second trimester. Patterns of use and gestational age limits vary by locality. Earlier gestations (typically 12 to 20 weeks) have shorter abortion times than later gestational ages, but differences in complication rates within the second trimester according to gestational age have not been demonstrated. The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is the most effective and fastest regimen. Typically, mifepristone 200 mg is followed by use of misoprostol 24-48 h later. Ninety-five percent of abortions are complete within 24 h of misoprostol administration. Compared with misoprostol alone, the combined regimen results in a clinically significant reduction of 40% to 50% in time to abortion and can be used at all gestational ages. However, mifepristone is not widely available. Accordingly, prostaglandin analogues without mifepristone (most commonly misoprostol or gemeprost) or high-dose oxytocin are used. Misoprostol is more widely used because it is inexpensive and stable at room temperature. Misoprostol alone is best used vaginally or sublingually, and doses of 400 mcg are generally superior to 200 mcg or less. Dosing every 3 h is superior to less frequent dosing, although intervals of up to 12 h are effective when using higher doses (600 or 800 mcg) of misoprostol. Abortion rates at 24 h are approximately 80%-85%. Although gemeprost has similar outcomes as compared to misoprostol, it has higher cost, requires refrigeration, and can only be used vaginally. High-dose oxytocin can be used in circumstances when prostaglandins are not available or are contraindicated. Osmotic dilators do not shorten induction times when inserted at the same time as misoprostol; however, their use prior to induction using misoprostol has not been studied. Preprocedure-induced fetal demise has not been studied systematically for possible effects on time to abortion. While isolated case reports and retrospective reviews document uterine rupture during second-trimester induction with misoprostol, the magnitude of the risk is not known. The relationship of individual uterotonic agents to uterine rupture is not clear. Based on existing evidence, the Society of Family Planning recommends that, when labor induction abortion is performed in the second trimester, combined use of mifepristone and misoprostol is the ideal regimen to effect abortion quickly and completely. The Society of Family Planning further recommends that alternative regimens, primarily misoprostol alone, should only be used when mifepristone is not available.

Sonographic findings of uterine rupture with expulsion of the fetus into broad ligament

We report the sonographic findings of a rare case of uterine rupture with extrusion of the fetus into the broad ligament during a second-trimester abortion. Sonography revealed the empty uterus with an indistinct defect on the side wall and the dead fetus lying outside, surrounded by a thin membrane. At surgery, the uterine rupture was confirmed with the fetus lying in the broad ligament. This study shows the importance of timely sonography in second-trimester abortion, enabling immediate management and preventing further complications.