Single extra-amniotic injection of prostaglandin E2 in Tylose gel to induce first trimester abortion in young...

A single extra-amniotic injection of 2 or 4 mg of prostaglandin E2 in Tylose gel was administered to 30 primigravidae between the ages of 14 and 20 years to induce first-trimester abortion. Twenty-three patients (76.7%) aborted, though incompletely, within 9 hours, with a mean induction-abortion interval of 6.3 hours. In the remaining 7 (23.3%) the cervical os was found to be open and no mechanical dilatation was required at the time of vacuum aspiration. The only side effect was vomiting, which occurred in 2 patients. The method was shown to be safe and effective and may be employed in young primigravidae, thus eliminating the cervical complications attending vacuum aspiration.