RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the appropriate dose of sublingual misoprostol administration before dilation and curettage (D&C) of the uterus in first trimester pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety nulliparous women who underwent surgical termination of first trimester pregnancy were analyzed prospectively. The first group (n = 30) received a single 200-microg dose, and the second (n = 30) and third (n = 30) groups were administered 2x 200 microg (400 microg) and 3 x 200 microg (600 microg) doses of misoprostol sublingually, respectively, with 1-hour intervals. The main outcomes evaluated were the degree of difficulty of cervical dilation, adverse effects of misoprostol according to dose administered, and participant satisfaction rate with the procedure. RESULTS: The improvement in cervical dilation and the ease of the D&C procedure were more significant in the 600-microg misoprostol arm (p = 0.008). Because the prevalence and severity of the side effects of misoprostol were increased in a dose-dependent manner, the 400-microg arm was found to be the most efficient dose of the study with its high satisfaction rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Premedication with misoprostol makes the D&C procedure easier by leading to cervical ripening. By sublingual route 400 microg of misoprostol regimen seems to be appropriate for planned first trimester surgical pregnancy termination under local anesthesia. Misoprostol should be administered only to select and hospitalized patients.