BACKGROUND: The development of safe and effective techniques for second-trimester abortion (associated or not with @entity5617 ) has become a major clinical challenge. AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of sublingual versus vaginal @entity396 for mid-trimester pregnancy termination. METHODS:    We conducted a meta-analysis of published randomised controlled trials that compared sublingual and vaginal routes. Primary outcome measures were complete abortion rate at 24 and 48 h and induction-abortion interval, and the secondary outcome measures were side effects and @entity1 ' preference for the route. Pooled risk ratios were calculated for categorical variables, and continuous variables were compared by means of weighted mean differences. RESULTS:    Both routes' efficacy was similar following 24   h of treatment (pooled @entity4736 .04, 95% CI 0.93-1.7). Successful induction percentage after 24   h was significantly higher in nulliparous @entity1 with vaginal @entity396 (pooled RR 0.78; 95% CI 0.71-0.87). The efficacy after 48   h was significantly greater with vaginal @entity396 in the general population (pooled RR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.99) and in nulliparous @entity1 (pooled RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.86-0.95). The sublingual route shortened the induction-fetal expulsion interval (WMD -4.54, 95% CI -8.03 to -1.05) and was the route preferred among @entity1 . No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were observed for placental retention or for any side effect except for fever, which was more common in the vaginal group. CONCLUSIONS:     Sublingual and vaginal @entity396 are safe and effective for mid-trimester pregnancy termination. The differences obtained between both routes probably do not have clinical consequences.

Comparison of sublingual versus vaginal XXXX for second-trimester pregnancy termination: a meta-analysis.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patients'] @entity396 :: ('MESH:D016595', 'Chemical') :: ['misoprostol'] @entity5617 :: ('MESH:D005313', 'Disease') :: ['fetal death'] @entity4736 :: ('6240', 'Gene') :: ['RR 1']
@entity396 :: (MESH:D016595,Chemical) :: ['misoprostol']
