[Second-trimester abortion: a difficult, unresolved problem]

The authors review the various methods proposed for the late evacuation of the uterus. They report their experience of intra-amniotic injection of prostaglandins and, more recently, the use of extra-amniotic injections. They have found this latter technique to be unsatisfactory. Evacuation following dilatation under local anaesthetic, despite a few complications, appears to be effective... but the problem is far from being resolved.