Hypertonic saline as an abortifacient in a select group of patients

The clinical course of 40 patients with a uterine scar who were undergoing second-trimester abortion induced with either hypertonic saline or prostaglandin F2 alpha, was reviewed. In the 38 patients with a previous cesarean scar, and in the 2 patients with a hysterotomy scar, the uterine contents were evacuated with no evidence of uterine rupture. A review of the literature dealing with uterine rupture subsequent to induced midtrimester abortion revealed that the typical multiparous uterus was more prone to rupture if oxytocin was used in conjunction with or a few hours after instillation of the abortifacient, or if oxytocin was used continuously for more than 12 hours. Although rupture after use of prostaglandin in a previously scarred uterus has been reported, there is no case reported of rupture after use of hypertonic saline. This review and the authors' experience lead them to conclude that hypertonic saline is a safe abortifacient during the second trimester, especially between 18 and 22 weeks' gestation, in a previously scarred uterus when careful monitoring is employed and oxytocic agents are used judiciously.