Intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha and urea for midtrimester abortion

Intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha, in doses of 2.5 to 20 mg, combined with 80 gm of urea, was an effective, safe, simple, and economical midtrimester abortifacient in 115 patients. The mean abortal time, 15.8 hours, was significantly less than that in prior series in which intra-amniotic hypertonic saline or urea was administered together with constant, intravenous oxytocin infusion. The use of intracervical laminaria tents did not shorten the abortal time. Only eight patients had not aborted within 30 hours; only two had not aborted within 36 hours; and only six received a second intra-amniotic injection. Operative removal of the placenta, when necessary, was accomplished under intravenous sedation in a treatment room. The incidence of infection, nausea, vomiting, and other complications was low.