Second trimester abortion by extra-amniotic PGF2 alpha infusion: experience of 178 cases

There is a continuing need for second trimester induced abortions, most recently due to the increase in the use of antenatal diagnostic procedures, amniocentesis, high resolution ultrasound and cordocentesis. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of extraamniotic infusion of PGF2 alpha for this purpose a retrospective review of 178 procedures was undertaken. There were 4 failures of the technique and the major complication rate was 5.6%. This rate was independent of gestational age. The mean induction to abortion interval was 29.6 (+/- 16.3) hours. The conclusion reached after comparison with other published data is that extraamniotic PGF2 alpha infusion is a slow and painful but safe and effective technique, but that at gestational ages less than 17 weeks, a comparative trial of Dilatation and Evacuation versus extraamniotic PGF2 alpha infusion would be justified.