Abortion is for women

Almost no subject moves from the clinical to the political personal and passionate in as few steps as abortion. In todays Lancet Helena von Hertzen and colleagues dispassionate and technically complex clinical trial investigates administration routes and doses of misoprostol used alone for early abortion. This study a major logistical undertaking was done in 11 centres in six countries and enrolled over 2000 women. It tested the effectiveness and safety of two routes (vaginal and sublingual) and intervals (every 3 h and 12 h) of administration of 0.8 mg misoprostol. The results emphasise the flexibility of the treatment because both routes and both intervals can be used safely and effectively although sublingual administration at the longer interval is less effective than other regimens and 3 hourly produces more unpleasant side-effects. (excerpt)