Continuous extraovular prostaglandin F2 alpha instillation for second-trimester pregnancy termination

One hundred midtrimester pregnancy terminations were successfully induced with continuous extraovular infusion of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). The solution was infused into the extraovular space with a newly developed double-balloon catheter. The mean instillation abortion time was 12.9 h. Abortion was completed in 48% of the patients within 12 h, in 80% within 18 h, and in 96% within 24 h. The mean total dose of PGF2 alpha instilled was 12.4 mg/patient. Only four patients aborted after 24 h from the insertion of the catheter and instillation of the PGF2 alpha. Side effects were few. Thirteen patients (13%) had nausea and vomiting, and 14 (14%) had transient pyrexia (above 38 C). No major complications occurred. It appears that this method has a high success rate, good patient tolerance, and an acceptable safety factor with few minor side effects.