The induction of midtrimester abortion with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2α: A single-dose technique

Abstract

30 healthy women between 14-37 and between 14-20 weeks' gestation were administered with a single injection of 40 mg of PGF2 alpha over a 5 minute period to induce abortion. 28 patients aborted within 48 hours; 14 aborted completely and 14 required surgical removal of the placenta; 1 patient required intravenous oxytocin, and 1 failed to abort within 48 hours. The mean instillation to abortion interval for multiparas was 18.6 hours, for nulliparas it was 32.2 hours. Only 1 patient had excessive bleeding, 3 had syncopal episodes, 9 experienced vomiting, 3 diarrhea, and 3 diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. A single injection of PGF2 alpha seems superior to intraamniotic hypertonic saline solution administration alone, and is effective as administration of hypertonic saline and intravenous oxytocin. The multiple dose technique of PG administration does reduce the mean abortion time, but entails an increased incidence of gastrointestinal side effects and requires repuncture or the use of an indwelling catheter, which may increase the incidence of infection. The mode of administration described can be used in selected patients when hypertonic saline solution is contraindicated.