Efficacy of a four-drug combined regimen compared to uterine curettage in the treatment of incomplete medical abortion: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical efficacy of the combined regimen of four drugs (drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets (II), mifepristone, misoprostol, and Xinshenghua granules) for the treatment of incomplete medical abortion (MA).

METHODS

184 patients diagnosed with incomplete MA were recruited and divided into two groups: the combined medication group (n = 92) and the uterine curettage group (n = 92). Patients in the combined medication group were treated with a combined regimen of four drugs, while those in the uterine curettage group were treated with uterine curettage.

RESULTS

After treatment, the diameter of residue (0.00 VS 4.26 ± 2.34 mm, t=-3.359, P = 0.010), days of vaginal bleeding (9.79 ± 1.76 VS 11.92 ± 1.91 days, t=-4.688, P = 0.010) and return time of menses (28.58 ± 2.67 VS 31.24 ± 2.43 days, t=-4.238, P < 0.001) of the combined medication group were significantly lower than those of the uterine curettage group. The duration of menstruation (6.12 ± 1.12 VS 5.11 ± 0.98 days, t=-2.681, P = 0.007) and the proportion of menstrual volume equal to past menstruation after return of menses were higher in the combined medication group than in the uterine curettage group (80.43% VS 57.61%, χ2 = 16.472, P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of serum β-HCG levels after treatment (P > 0.05); the overall response rate was higher in the combined medication group than in the uterine curettage group (97.83% VS 80.43%, χ2 = 54.331, P < 0.001). No adverse reaction events occurred during the treatment.

CONCLUSION

The combined regimen of four drugs boasts favorable efficacy for the treatment of incomplete MA, and is equally efficient as compared to uterine curettage.