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A comparison of medical induction and dilation and evacuation for second-trimester abortion
Amy M Autry1, Ellen C Hayes, Gavin F Jacobson
1Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to compare complication rates of patients who undergo dilation and evacuation or medical abortion between 14 and 24 weeks of gestation.
Study Design:
We present a retrospective cohort study of 297 women who underwent either dilation and evacuation or medical abortion. Statistical methods included the Student t test, the chi(2) test, the Fisher exact test (where appropriate), and logistic regression.
Results:
The overall complication rate was significantly lower in patients who underwent dilation and evacuation than in patients who underwent medical abortion (4% vs 29%; P <.001). Medical abortions with misoprostol resulted in a lower complication rate than abortions with other medications (odds ratio, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.4). More Laminaria was associated with a decreased risk of complications with surgical abortions (odds ratio, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.7-1.0).
Conclusion:
Dilation evacuation is the safest method of second-trimester abortion. Misoprostol is safer than other methods for medical abortion. Maximal use of Laminaria will decrease complication rates in surgical abortion.