[Medical interruption of pregnancy. Indications and techniques. Critical study and reflections on 324 cases]

A retrospective study of 324 cases highlights the difficulties encountered in identifying indications for medical pregnancy terminations (MPTs) which are permitted by French law and medically justified. In addition, the ethical problems raised do not facilitate the decision to opt for a MPT, which must be made by a multi-disciplinary committee. The methods used to evaluate the pregnancy are largely surgical during the first three months, and these are succeeded during the next six months by medical methods involving the use of synthetic prostaglandins. The complications which may occur are far from minor. The various protocols used by the authors are described together with their results and complications.