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The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews logoLink to The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
. 2002 Oct 21;2002(4):CD003037. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003037.pub2

Medical versus surgical methods for first trimester termination of pregnancy

Lale Say 1,, Dalia Brahmi 1, Regina Kulier 2, Aldo Campana 2, A Metin Gülmezoglu 3
Editor: Cochrane Fertility Regulation Group
PMCID: PMC8406531  PMID: 15674900

Abstract

Background

Induced abortions are very commonly practiced interventions worldwide. A variety of medical abortion methods have been introduced during the last decade in addition to existing surgical methods. In this review we systematically searched for and combined all evidence from randomised controlled trials comparing surgical with medical abortion.

Objectives

To evaluate medical methods in comparison to surgical methods for first‐trimester abortion with respect to efficacy, side effects and acceptability.

Search methods

The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE (with the Cochrane 3‐stage search strategy;1966‐2000) and Popline (1970‐2000) were systematically searched. There were no language preferences in searching. Reference lists of retrieved papers were searched. Experts in WHO/HRP were contacted.

Selection criteria

Randomised trials of any surgical abortion method compared with any medical abortion method in the first trimester.

Data collection and analysis

Trial quality was assessed and data extraction was made independently by two reviewers.

Main results

Seven studies mostly with small sample sizes, comparing 4 different interventions (prostaglandins alone, mifepristone alone, and mifepristone/misoprostol and methotrexate/misoprostol versus vacuum aspiration) were included. Results are sometimes based on one trial only. 
 Prostaglandins vs vacuum aspiration: the rate of abortions not completed with the intended method was statistically significant higher in the prostaglandin group (2.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.8) compared to surgery. There are no data on the most commonly medical (mifepristone/misoprostol) and surgical abortion available to be included in the review. 
 Duration of bleeding was longer in the medical abortion groups compared to vacuum aspiration. There was only one major complication (uterine perforation) in one trial in the surgical group. There was no difference between the groups for ongoing pregnancies at the time of follow‐up or pelvic infections. No data on acceptability, side effects or women's satisfaction with the procedure were availbale for inclusion in the review.

Authors' conclusions

The results are derived from relatively small trials. Prostaglandins used alone seems to be less effective and more painful compared to surgical first‐trimester abortion. However, there is inadequate evidence to comment on the acceptability and side effects of medical compared to surgical first‐trimester abortions. There is a need for trials to address the efficacy of currently used methods and women's preferences more reliably.

Plain language summary

Medical methods for early termination of pregnancy can be safe and effective.

There are several different surgical techniques for early termination of pregnancy (abortion in the first three months). Several drugs can also be prescribed alone or in combination to terminate early pregnancy. This is called medical abortion, and uses the hormones prostaglandins and/or mifepristone (an antiprogesterone often called RU486), and/or methotrexate. The review of trials found that medical methods for abortion in early pregnancy can be safe and effective, with the most evidence of effectiveness for a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol (a prostaglandin). Almost all of the trials were done in well‐resourced hospitals where women returned for check‐up.

Background

Induced abortions have been performed world‐wide since ancient times. It is estimated that about 53 million abortions are performed each year (WHO 1997, Henshaw 1999). It is estimated that one third of all abortions are performed under unsafe conditions leading to 13% of all maternal deaths (Mundigo 1999, Singh 1998). The majority of these deaths occur in developing countries where pregnancy terminations are either illegal or legal but not available and accessible.

Morbidity due to safe surgical abortion with a sufficiently skilled practitioner depends on gestational age, the method of termination, age and parity. The lowest major complication rate is when the procedure is performed at 49 to 56 days of amenorrhea. Complication rates increase with increasing age and parity (WHO 1997). The major complication rate of dilatation and curettage (D&C) is 2.3 times higher than with vacuum aspiration (Grimes 1979). The complications of surgical abortion are infection, cervical laceration, incomplete evacuation, uterine perforation, haemorrhage and complications due to anaesthesia. It has been suggested but not confirmed that unsafe procedures are associated with future infertility, miscarriages and low birth weight in subsequent pregnancies in addition to the complications above.

In the last decade, attempts to develop alternative abortion methods have largely focused on medical methods. Some authors think they might provide good alternatives to unsafe procedures and would increase the access to services (Blanchard 1999, Blumenthal 1991). Other authors, while acknowledging that medical abortion procedures do increase a woman's range of options, nevertheless point out that these procedures will not be a panacea for limited access to services (Grimes 1997). Currently, 20% of early first‐trimester abortions in England, 30% of those in France and 60% of those in Scotland are carried out medically (Gupta 1998, Thong 1992).

Medical methods used for abortion are prostaglandins, mifepristone alone, mifepristone with prostaglandins and methotrexate with prostaglandins. Mifepristone has been licensed in France and China since 1988, in the United Kingdom since 1991 and in Sweden since 1992. The recommended dose regimen by the manufacturer is 600 mg oral mifepristone followed by a vaginal prostaglandin. But a variety of different regimens have been used. Difficulties of producing and distributing mifepristone in other countries urged researchers to search for alternative medical methods. The clinical application of intramuscular methotrexate to treat early extrauterine pregnancies led to its use in intrauterine gestations (Grimes 1997). Misoprostol alone regimens have been widely used to induce abortion informally especially in South America (Blanchard 1999). The use of methotrexate with misoprostol was first introduced by Creinin in 1993 (Grimes 1997). Failed abortion is an infrequent but important complication of medical methods. Both methotrexate and misoprostol may lead to fetal anomalies if the pregnancy persists (Grimes 1997). 
 
 Side effects of medical methods are moderate to heavy bleeding, pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea changing in severity due to the protocols and gestational age. They involve a longer duration of time from initiation until termination and more observed blood loss when compared to surgical procedures. Surgical procedure is a mechanical event done at a specific time and medical procedure is a process entailing a series of noticeable times; when the woman takes the various drugs, when she observes symptoms and when the expulsion occurs (Winikoff 1996).

In a study from the UK, the most frequent reason for choosing the medical method was to avoid some aspects of the operative process, particularly the anaesthetic (61%). Thirty two per cent of women chose it for the process being simpler and natural. Those who chose the surgical procedure generally wanted to avoid the awareness and involvement in the process of termination (49%) and were concerned about the pain (16%) or emotional impact (14%) of the medical termination. The fact that medical methods were more rapidly accessible was for many women an important factor to opt for this method (Slade 1998).

Wiebe evaluated the methotrexate‐misoprostol regimen from users' perspectives. For women who chose the medical procedure, expected pain (39.3%) and fear of surgery (44.7%) were most important. In their written comments, many women also mentioned that it felt better emotionally to terminate the pregnancy as early as possible (Wiebe 1993).

Unsafe abortion is a public health problem worldwide. One way of reducing the number of unsafe procedures is to increase safe choices for pregnancy termination. In this review we systematically searched for and combined all evidence from randomised controlled trials comparing surgical with medical abortion.

Objectives

To assess medical compared to surgical methods with respect to efficacy, side effects and acceptability for first‐trimester abortion.

Methods

Criteria for considering studies for this review

Types of studies

All randomised controlled trials comparing surgical with medical procedures for first‐trimester abortion.

Types of participants

Women undergoing abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy were eligible. The upper limit of gestational age for first trimester was defined as 14 completed cardinal weeks of pregnancy (98 days from the first day of the last menstrual period).

Types of interventions

Any type of surgical abortion method (vacuum aspiration, MVA or dilatation & curettage) versus any type of medical abortion method (mifepristone, misoprostol, mifepristone with a prostaglandin or methotrexate with misoprostol or comparisons of other similar preparations).

Types of outcome measures

Primary outcomes 
 1. Abortion not completed with intended method 
 2. Ongoing pregnancy 
 3. Pelvic infection 
 5. Blood transfusion 
 6. Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 
 7. Uterine perforation 
 8. Cervical injury 
 9. Rehospitalisation

Secondary outcomes 
 1. Hospital stay >24 hours 
 2. Duration of bleeding 
 3. Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 
 4. Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 
 5. Pain resulting from the procedure (reported by the women or measured by use of analgesics) 
 6. Vomiting 
 7. Diarrhoea 
 8. Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure

Search methods for identification of studies

The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE (with the Cochrane 3‐stage search strategy)(1966‐2000) and Popline (1970‐2000) were systematically searched. Reference lists of retrieved papers were searched. Experts in WHO/HRP were contacted. The following keywords were used: 
 (abortion OR pregnancy termination OR termination of pregnancy) AND (first trimester OR early) AND (vacuum aspiration OR suction OR dilatation and curettage OR D&C OR mifepristone OR misoprostol OR methotrexate OR dinoprost* OR carboprost OR sulprostone OR gemeprost OR meteneprost OR lilopristone OR onapristone OR epostane OR oxytocin OR RU 486 OR mifegyne)

Data collection and analysis

The selection of trials for inclusion in the review was performed independently by two reviewers after employing the search strategy described previously. There were no language preferences in the review. Trials under consideration were evaluated for appropriateness for inclusion and methodological quality without consideration of their results. A quality score for concealment of allocation was assigned to each trial, using the criteria described in the Cochrane Handbook:

(A) adequate concealment of the allocation 
 (B) unclear whether adequate concealment of the allocation 
 (C) inadequate concealment of allocation (includes quasi‐randomised studies)

Only trials scoring A or B were included in the review.

A form was designed to facilitate the process of data extraction which was performed by two of the reviewers independently. In case of discrepancies between reviewers in either the decision of inclusion/exclusion of studies or in data extraction, this was resolved by consensus.

Whether or not an "intention‐to‐treat" analysis was done in the primary study was examined. Trials were not excluded based on an arbitrary cut‐off limit regarding losses to follow‐up. Trials were excluded if there are unexplained imbalances in different groups at follow‐up and available outcome data.

Data were processed by Revman software. Subgroup analyses were planned for early and late first‐trimester abortions as the performance of some methods may differ with gestational age. Pregnancies with up to 63 days of pregnancy (< 9 weeks) were defined as early and those with more than 63 days of pregnancy (≥ 9 weeks) were defined as late first trimester pregnancies.

Failure to achieve complete abortion was defined as failure to complete the abortion with the intended method used.

Results

Description of studies

Six trials conducted in Sweden (Rosen 1984), Denmark (Legarth 1991, Rorbye 2004), the UK (Henshaw 1994), the USA (Creinin 2000), the UK (Ashok 2002) and one multicentre trial (WHO 1987) were included in the review. Two trials conducted in Sweden (Rosen 1979) and India (Prasad 2009) were excluded (Characteristics of excluded studies).

Rosen (Rosen 1984) compared surgical abortion with medical in the hospital and medical at home in 53 women ≤ 49 days of amenorrhoea. Women were interviewed by trained psychologists before and after the intervention.

Twelve centres from India, Vietnam, Slovenia, Zambia, China, Sweden and Hungary were involved in the WHO (WHO 1987) trial. Women who have had amenorrhoea up to 49 days were recruited and randomised into two groups.without confirmation of pregnancy. Pregnancy tests were obtained on the day of treatment and pregnant women were analysed separately.

Legarth (Legarth 1991), randomised 50 women, pregnant in the first trimester, to Mifepristone 600mg orally or surgical abortion. The study was conducted at a University Hospital in Denmark. Beta‐HCG levels were taken one week after the intervention to confirm complete abortion.

Henshaw (Henshaw 1994) conducted a partially randomised trial which let some of the participants to be allocated to their preferred method and randomised the ones willing to be randomised. The complete abortion and complication rates were analysed combining the data from the randomised and non‐randomised women. The authors claimed that they had combined the data of randomised and non‐randomised groups as there had been no significant difference between the women who preferred to undergo any particular intervention and those who were randomised to that method in that outcome. We have contacted the authors to provide the efficacy and complication data separately for the randomised groups and awaited their reply. For the side effects data, we used only the randomised groups' results which have been analysed separately for the randomised and non‐randomised groups in the original study.

Creinin (Creinin 2000) enrolled women up to 49 days of amenorrhoea to receive either methotrexate/misoprostol or undergo surgical abortion. All participants were given USD 200 at their final follow‐up visit.

Ashok (Ashok 2002) study involved late first trimester (10‐13 weeks of amenorrhoea) pregnancy terminations. The design was a patient‐preference design and allocated women to their preferred methods first and then randomised those who did not have astrong preference for either method. The results for efficacy were presented together for randomised and non‐randomised (preferred either medical or surgical) groups and it was not possible to separate the results for each group. We, therefore included the results only for complications and side‐effects which were presented separately for randomosed and non‐randomised groups.

Rorbye (Rorbye 2004) also conducted a partially randomised trial of women (< 63 days ammenorrhoea) comparing mifepristone and gemeprost to surgical abortion. Only 10% or 111 of the women agreed to be randomised and most of the results were combined. We included the results for efficacy or failure to achieve complete abortion as these were presented separately for randomised and non‐randomised groups.

See Characteristics of included studies for more details.

Risk of bias in included studies

Five trials received concealment allocation score A: Legarth 1991, Henshaw 1994, WHO 1987 , Creinin 2000 and Ashok 2002. 
 In the studies by Rosen (Rosen 1984) and Rorbye (Rorbye 2004) the allocation concealment was not clear (B).

Henshaw (Henshaw 1994) calculated for a sample size of 360. However, only 195 women were randomised. Rorbye (Rorbye 2004) calculated for a sample size of 802, but only 111 were randomised.

Creinin (Creinin 2000) initially planned to include 100 participants, but as the recruitment of 50 women took 24 months, it was decided to complete the study with those 50 women (25 randomised into each group). The 35% power to detect their hypothesized difference is a weakness of this study.

See Characteristics of included studies section for more details.

Effects of interventions

Six trials with four different comparisons were included in the review.

Prostaglandins versus vacuum aspiration: abortion was not completed with the intended method in more women in the prostaglandin group compared to vacuum aspiration (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.8) (Rosen 1984, WHO 1987) and duration of bleeding was longer in the medical compared to surgical group (WHO 1987) (WMD 5.2, 95% CI 5.0 to 5.4). Both results were statistically significant. Ongoing pregnancy at follow‐up (Rosen 1984, WHO 1987) and pelvic infection (WHO 1987) did not show statistically significant differences between the 2 groups (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.8) and (OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.6 to 7.3). 
 
 Mifepristone versus vacuum aspiration: There are no statistically significant differences for the following outcomes in this comparison reported by one trial with a small sample size (Legarth 1991): abortion not completed with intended method (OR 3.6, 95% CI 0.7 to 20.1), ongoing pregnancy (there was no case in either group), pelvic infection (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.0 to 2.6), uterine perforation (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.0 to 8.2).

Mifepristone and prostaglandin versus vacuum aspiration: Three trials are included in this comparison, one including women with less than 63 days of amenorrhoea (Henshaw 1994), the second including women with 10‐13 weeks of amenorrhoea (Ashok 2002) and the third included women with up to 63 of amenorrhoea. Henshaw found no statistically significant differences for blood loss between the 2 groups (WMD 1.9, 95% CI 0.1 to 3.8). Duration of bleeding was longer in the medical group compared to surgical (WMD 2.9, 95% CI 1.9 to 4.0). The study involving women with late first trimester pregnancy (Ashok 2002) reported a significant difference in duration of bleeding, being longer in the medical group (WMD 3.0, 95% CI 1.6 to 4.4). This study reported statistically significant differences in side effects in terms of vomiting (OR 10.54, 95% CI 5.77 to 19.23), diarrhoea (OR 15.87, 95% CI 7.38 to 34.15), and pain following the procedure (OR 4.75, 95% CI 1.56 to 14.39) being more in the medical group. Abortion was not completed with the intended method in more women in the mifepristone and prostaglandin group compared to vacuum aspiration (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.4 to 12.1) without reaching statistical significance (Rorbye 2004).

Methotrexate and prostaglandin versus vacuum aspiration: One trial, with a small sample size, is included in this comparison (Creinin 2000). Duration of bleeding was longer (WMD 6.0, 95% CI 2,9 to 9.1) and pain (as measured by taking additional pain killers) was more frequent in the medical group (OR 153, 95% CI 8.1 to 2883.4). However, results are presented with large confidence intervals. There was no statistically significant difference for not completing the abortion with the intended method between both groups (OR 4.6, 95% CI 0.5 to 44.2).

Discussion

In the six studies there were four different types of medical interventions and results of the review are often based on one trial only. The efficacy rates were ranging between 76% and 97.2% for medical and between 94 and 100% for surgical abortions in the individual trials. However, trials included in this review describe medical methods that are less often used (e.g Misoprostol only or Methotrexate). The combination of Mifepristone followed by a prostaglandin is the most common used medical method for first‐trimester abortion at the moment. We could identify three trials on this comparison which qualifies for inclusion into the review, two for early first trimester (Henshaw 1994, Rorbye 2004) and the other for late first trimester (Ashok 2002) pregnancy terminations. The authors of the three studies combined the data of the randomised and non‐randomised group for most of the outcomes. More women in the vacuum aspiration group went for outpatient consultations and received more antibiotics during the follow‐up period than the comparison group.

The lowest efficacy rate (76%) of the medical method compared to surgical is reported with the mifepristone‐only regimen (Legarth 1991). A serious complication occurred in one women in the surgical group (uterine perforation).

More days of bleeding was generally experienced with medical interventions when compared to surgical interventions which may be an important issue for women in deciding for one or the other method. The difference in duration of bleeding seems to be higher in late first trimester pregnancy terminations.

It is difficult to compare the degree of pain between the surgical and non‐surgical procedures because women in surgical groups have often received some form of analgesia as part of the procedure.

Reports on acceptability of the different methods give varying results (Table 1 ). Henshaw (Henshaw 1994) reports that more women in the medical group would opt for another termination method in future compared to the surgical group. Subgroup analyses revealed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of future preferences in women up to 49 days of gestation. The authors concluded that the increase of pain with the longer gestation might have led to the low acceptability among the women with longer gestations.

1. Acceptability (preferences for a future abortion).

Study Surgical group Surgical group Medical group Medical group
  prefer surgical method in the future (%) prefer medical method in the future (%) prefer surgical method in the future (%) prefer medical method in the future (%)
Rosen 1984 no data 36% no data 64%
Henshaw 1993 87% 2% 22% 74%
Creinin 2000 92% 8% 37% 63%
Ashok 2002 79% no data no data 70%

The only study involving late first trimester pregnancy termination (Ashok 2002) also reports a higher preference of women for the same method (79%) who had undergone surgical abortion compared to women who had undergone medical procedure (70%). The response rates for this outcome is very low in both groups, being lower in the medical (35%) than in the surgical group (53%). This could imply that even more women with medical methods might not opt for medical method for a future abortion in this late first trimester pregnancy group.

Creinin (Creinin 2000) found differences for future preferences in women with early first trimester pregnancies: 63% of women in the medical group stated they would choose the same method in the future whereas 92% of those in the surgical group stated they would choose their method for a future intervention. In one study (Rosen 1984); two out of three women said they would prefer the same procedure in case of a future abortion. The women who stated they would prefer the same method were the ones who had reported the same method as a preference in the pre‐treatment questionnaires. The author concluded that this may be a strong factor for acceptability although the numbers were too small to make any firm conclusions.

The discrepancies between the acceptabilities of the medical methods may be due to the methods used. For the study in which self‐administered vaginal suppositories were used (Rosen 1984), self administration may be a strong preference factor for a future intervention. The medical method of the study which leads to a relatively longer duration for complete abortion (Creinin 2000) may lead to the lower acceptability of the intervention when compared to the other study (Henshaw 1994) that used another regimen leading to a shorter duration of the procedure.

Medical and surgical methods of pregnancy termination have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Therefore the decision to prefer one procedure over the other necessarily carries trade‐offs. The limited evidence suggests that in the first trimester, vacuum aspiration is more effective when compared to prostaglandin alone and is associated with shorter duration of bleeding and less pain.

Authors' conclusions

Implications for practice.

Prostaglandin used alone seems to be less effective and more painful compared to vacuum aspiration for first‐trimester abortion. Duration of bleeding seems to be longer with medical methods and women should therefore be counselled accordingly. Also, medical methods may be more painful.

Implications for research.

The trials included have small sample sizes. There is a need for trials to address the efficacy, especially of currently used methods, and women's preferences more reliably.

What's new

Date Event Description
18 December 2009 New search has been performed updated with inclusion of one new study

History

Protocol first published: Issue 2, 2001
 Review first published: Issue 4, 2002

Date Event Description
15 April 2008 Amended Converted to new review format
20 July 2002 New citation required and conclusions have changed Substantive amendment

Acknowledgements

Data and analyses

Comparison 1. Prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 2 472 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.67 [1.06, 6.75]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 2 472 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.67 [1.06, 6.75]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 2 472 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.55 [0.16, 1.84]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 2 472 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.55 [0.16, 1.84]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 1 419 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.17 [0.64, 7.33]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 1 419 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.17 [0.64, 7.33]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 1 419 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 5.2 [4.98, 5.42]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 1 419 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 5.2 [4.98, 5.42]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure (number needed additional anelgesic injection) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

1.1. Analysis.

Comparison 1 Prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 1 Abortion not completed with intended method.

1.2. Analysis.

Comparison 1 Prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 2 Ongoing pregnancy.

1.3. Analysis.

Comparison 1 Prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 3 Pelvic Infection.

1.10. Analysis.

Comparison 1 Prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 10 Duration of bleeding.

Comparison 2. Prostaglandin vs D&C.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic infection 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

Comparison 3. Mifepristone vs vacuum aspiration.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with the intended method 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 3.63 [0.66, 20.11]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 3.63 [0.66, 20.11]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.13 [0.01, 2.58]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.13 [0.01, 2.58]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.32 [0.01, 8.25]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.32 [0.01, 8.25]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

3.1. Analysis.

Comparison 3 Mifepristone vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 1 Abortion not completed with the intended method.

3.2. Analysis.

Comparison 3 Mifepristone vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 2 Ongoing pregnancy.

3.3. Analysis.

Comparison 3 Mifepristone vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 3 Pelvic Infection.

3.6. Analysis.

Comparison 3 Mifepristone vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 6 Uterine perforation.

Comparison 4. Mifepristone vs D&C.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

Comparison 5. Mifepristone and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 1 111 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.12 [0.37, 12.06]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 1 111 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.12 [0.37, 12.06]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss 1 195 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.90 [0.05, 3.75]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 1 195 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.90 [0.05, 3.75]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 2 424 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.94 [2.10, 3.78]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 1 195 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.90 [1.85, 3.95]
10.3 Amenorrhoea more than 63 weeks 1 229 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 3.0 [1.60, 4.40]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 1 366 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 4.75 [1.56, 14.39]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.3 Amenorrhoea more than 63 days 1 366 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 4.75 [1.56, 14.39]
14 Vomiting 1 366 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 10.54 [5.77, 19.23]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.3 Amenorrhoea more than 63 days 1 366 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 10.54 [5.77, 19.23]
15 Diarrhoea 1 366 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 15.87 [7.38, 34.15]
15.1 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.2 Amenorrhoea more than 63 days 1 366 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 15.87 [7.38, 34.15]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

5.1. Analysis.

Comparison 5 Mifepristone and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 1 Abortion not completed with intended method.

5.5. Analysis.

Comparison 5 Mifepristone and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 5 Blood loss.

5.10. Analysis.

Comparison 5 Mifepristone and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 10 Duration of bleeding.

5.13. Analysis.

Comparison 5 Mifepristone and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 13 Pain resulting from the procedure.

5.14. Analysis.

Comparison 5 Mifepristone and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 14 Vomiting.

5.15. Analysis.

Comparison 5 Mifepristone and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 15 Diarrhoea.

Comparison 6. Mifepristone and prostaglandin vs D&C.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

Comparison 7. Methotrexate vs vacuum aspiration.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

Comparison 8. Methotrexate vs D&C.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

Comparison 9. Methotrexate and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 4.57 [0.47, 44.17]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 4.57 [0.47, 44.17]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 1 50 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 6.0 [2.94, 9.06]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 1 50 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 6.0 [2.94, 9.06]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 153.0 [8.12, 2883.29]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 1 50 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 153.0 [8.12, 2883.29]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

9.1. Analysis.

Comparison 9 Methotrexate and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 1 Abortion not completed with intended method.

9.10. Analysis.

Comparison 9 Methotrexate and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 10 Duration of bleeding.

9.13. Analysis.

Comparison 9 Methotrexate and prostaglandin vs vacuum aspiration, Outcome 13 Pain resulting from the procedure.

Comparison 10. Methotrexate and prostaglandin vs D&C.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Abortion not completed with intended method 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Ongoing pregnancy 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Pelvic Infection 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Blood transfusion 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin) 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Uterine perforation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Cervical Injury 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Rehospitalisation 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Hospital stay >24 hours 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10 Duration of bleeding 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.1 Amenorrhoea less than 49 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Amenorrhoea less than 63 days 0 0 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Non‐routine uterotonic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Non‐routine antibiotic use postoperatively 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Pain resulting from the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Vomiting 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Diarrhoea 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Women's dissatisfaction with the procedure 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.1 Amenorrhoea 49 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Amenorrhoea 63 days or less 0 0 Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]

Characteristics of studies

Characteristics of included studies [ordered by study ID]

Ashok 2002.

Methods Partially randomised trial (subjects who had strong preferences for any method were allocated to their preferred methods, others were allocated randomly to medical or surgical groups. Randomisation was prepared by the trial statistician using a randomised block design and sealed opaque envelopes were used.
Participants A total of 486 women, 10‐13 weeks of gestational age. 202 randomised to medical, 198 randomised to surgical, 86 allocated to their preferred groups.
Interventions 1. Medical intervention: oral mifepristone 200 mg followed by vaginal misoprostol 800 microgram 36‐48 h later, if no products passed, a further two doses of misoprostol (400 micrograms) were given either orally or vaginally at 3 h intervals. 
 2. Surgical intervention: vacuum aspiration under general anaesthesia, all primigravid women underwent cervical preparation with 800 micrograms misoprostol vaginally 3 h prior to surgery. 
 Follow‐up eaw with a questionnaire 2‐3 weeks later.
Outcomes Efficacy (combined in randomised and non‐randomised groups), pain, (a visual scale), nausoea, vomiting, hot flushes, dizziness, diarrhoea. 
 At the follow‐up, duration/severity of bleeding, pain/analgesia use, time taken off work.
Notes  
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Allocation concealment? Low risk A ‐ Adequate

Creinin 2000.

Methods Randomisation was performed by a source outside of the study according to a random number table. Sealed, opaque, sequentially numbered envelopes were used to conceal the allocation.
Participants 50 healthy women with </= 49 days of gestation requesting abortion with no pre‐treatment preferences for the method, 25 were randomised to surgical, 25 to medical group: similar baseline characteristics between the groups.
Interventions 1. Medical intervention: 50 mg methotrexate (4*12.5 mg capsules) was taken in front of one of the researchers. 4 Tablets of 200 microgram misoprostol were given with instructions to place them into the vagina on day 6 or 7. All women were instructed to use ibuprofen or acetaminophen tablets initially and prescribed narcotic if necessary. They were not instructed to lie down after misoprostol administration, and they were advised to return to the clinic on day 8: if a gestational sac was seen in the ultrasound scan, a clinician administered a repeat dose of misoprostol 800 microgram intravaginally. All women returned on day 7 and 15 for follow up. 
 2. Surgical intervention: Manual vacuum aspiration with an IPAS syringe and a 7‐mm cannula. A sharp curettage was used after the aspiration. Ibuprofen 800 mg 15 to 30 min before the procedure were given. Intracervical block was applied. Women were observed for a minimum of 30 min. after the procedure. All participants returned on day 15 for follow‐up.
Outcomes Complete abortion rate, pain, amount/duration of bleeding (using a visual analog scale‐VAS), choice for future abortion, time needed to provide care for each group.
Notes  
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Allocation concealment? Low risk A ‐ Adequate

Henshaw 1994.

Methods Partially randomised trial (subjects who were willing to be allocated to any method were randomised into two groups, who declined, selected their own methods). Randomisation was made by consecutive, sealed opaque envelopes containing random numbers generated by computer, unknown to the study co‐ordinator.
Participants A total of 363 women, </= 63 days of gestation requested abortion; 96 were randomised to surgical, 99 to medical method, 95 chose surgical method, 73 chose medical method. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups.
Interventions 1. Medical intervention: oral mifepristone 600 mg followed by gemeprost 1 mg pessary 48 hours later. 
 2. Surgical intervention: vacuum aspiration under general anaesthesia, all primigravid women underwent cervical preparation with a single gemeprost 1 mg vaginal pessary. 
 Follow‐up was after 2 weeks, family doctors were asked to complete a questionnaire 8 weeks later.
Outcomes Pain, vaginal bleeding (using total vaginal bleding score‐TVB), in terms of duration/severity, haemoglobin levels, other symptoms (nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, tiredness) using an other symptom score; evaluated by a questionnaire based on a menstrual distress questionnaire, complete abortion rate, women's preferences for the method before the abortion, acceptability judged two weeks after abortion by recording the method women would opt to undergo in future and by semantic differential rating technique.
Notes  
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Allocation concealment? Low risk A ‐ Adequate

Legarth 1991.

Methods Randomised into two groups. Sealed opaque envelopes were used to conceal the allocation. No information on the sequance of the numbers. Separate randomisation for primigravida and multigravidas.
Participants 50 healthy women with less then 43 days of amenorrhoea
Interventions 1. Medical intervention: oral mifepristone 600 mg was taken at home. 
 2. Surgical intervention: vacuum aspiration under general anaesthesia. All women received 1 mg intravenous methylergometrine. Acetaminophene was prescribed to use in the case of need.
Outcomes Complete abortion rate, complication rates, self‐reported bleeding, self‐reported pain, haemoglobin levels, any symptom that could have been due to side effects and complications.
Notes  
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Allocation concealment? Low risk A ‐ Adequate

Rorbye 2004.

Methods Partially randomised trial (subjects who were willing to be allocated to any method were randomised into two groups, those who declined, selected their own methods). Randomisation was performed centrally through a telephone procedure. No information about the concealment of the allocation.
Participants A total of 1033 women, </= 63 days of gestation requested abortion; 111 agreed to be randomized; 56 were randomised to surgical method, 55 to medical method, 590 chose surgical method, 332 chose medical method. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups.
Interventions 1. Medical intervention: oral mifepristone 600 mg followed by gemeprost 1 mg vaginally 48 hours later. 
 2. Surgical intervention: vacuum aspiration under general anaesthesia, all primigravid women underwent cervical preparation with 400 microgram misoprostol orally 8 hours before surgery. 
 Follow‐up was after 2 weeks, participamts were mailed a questionnaire 8 weeks later.
Outcomes Complete abortion rate, complication rates, leave of abscence after abortion, number of unscheduled contacts with health care system.
Notes  
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Allocation concealment? Unclear risk B‐unclear

Rosen 1984.

Methods Randomised into three groups. Patient's case number was paired with treatment in a randomised order. No information about the concealment of the allocation.
Participants 53 women, </=49 days of amenorrhea, having had at least one full term pregnancy and a healthy status.
Interventions 1. Medical intervention: two vaginal suppositories containing either 50 or 60 mg of 9‐methylene‐PGE2 administered at 6‐h intervals at home. The women stayed in bed for one hour after the insertion. 
 2. Medical intervention: two vaginal suppositories containing either 50 or 60 mg of 9‐methylene‐PGE2 administered at 6‐h intervals in the hospital. The women stayed in bed for one hour after the insertion. 
 3. Surgical intervention: vacuum aspiration was performed with a Karman cannula, size 5 or 6, following an intravenous injection of diazepam and fentanyl and local anaesthesia. The women stayed in the hospital for four hours. 
 Two interviews were made immediately before the first medical examination and at the follow‐up visit.
Outcomes Complete abortion, continuing pregnancy, duration of bleeding, vomiting, diarrhoea, analgesic injection, preference for a future abortion.
Notes  
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Allocation concealment? Unclear risk B ‐ Unclear

WHO 1987.

Methods Randomised controlled trial. Computer‐generated random numbers (no information on the sequance of numbers) and sealed, opaque envelopes for concealment of allocation.
Participants 473 women, </= 49 days of amenorrhoea, with at least one previous pregnancy, 419 of them were confirmed to be pregnant later and includede in the analysis.
Interventions 1. Medical intervention: intramuscular injections of 0.5 mg PGE2 methyl sulfonylamide three times at 3‐h intervals. 
 2. Surgical intervention: vacuum aspiration, usually under local anaesthesia 
 Three follow‐up visits at 1, 2 and 6‐8 weeks after treatment
Outcomes Complete abortion, continuing pregnancy, duration and amount of bleeding, vomiting, diarrhoea, analgesic injection.
Notes  
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Allocation concealment? Low risk A ‐ Adequate

Characteristics of excluded studies [ordered by study ID]

Study Reason for exclusion
Prasad 2009 Randomisation was not adequate. It was predictable and based on strict alternation of even and odd serial numbers.
Rosen 1979 Accomplishment of randomisation is not defined clearly. The exact number of women in each group is not clear although a total of 77 women were included in the study. The acceptability part includes only the first 30 women of each group with complete abortion.

Contributions of authors

RK, MG and LS had the idea and contributed to the text. AC read and made comments on the review. DB reviewed the search results and contributed to the text.

Sources of support

Internal sources

  • HRP‐UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme in Human Reproduction, Geneva,, Switzerland.

  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Geneva, Switzerland.

  • Woman and Child Health Training and Research Centre, Medical Faculty of Istanbul, Turkey.

  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, UK.

External sources

  • No sources of support supplied

Declarations of interest

None known

New search for studies and content updated (no change to conclusions)

References

References to studies included in this review

Ashok 2002 {published data only}

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Creinin 2000 {published data only}

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Henshaw 1994 {published data only}

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References to studies excluded from this review

Prasad 2009 {published data only}

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