[Prostaglandin F-2-alpha gel for induction of midtrimester abortion (author's transl)]

Prostaglandin F2-alpha was administered extra-amniotic as a gel through the cervix uteri to 100 patients in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy: 82 for termination of pregnancy, 17 for intrauterine death, and 1 for a hydatiform mole. The success rate was 96 p. 100. Mean duration of induction was 17 hrs 06 min., cervical priming lowered this duration to 11 hrs 40 min. (p less than 0.01). Extradural analgesia provided satisfactory pain relief and allowed a dilatation and curettage to be performed without recoure to a general anaesthetic. The technique described showed a lower incidence of side-effects than other modes of administration of PG F2-alpha, and proved to be effective, reliable, and acceptable to patients.