Multiple dose extraamniotic prostaglandin gel for second trimester termination of pregnancy

Multiple doses of PGF2 alpha gel were administered into the extraamniotic space in 30 patients to induce mid-trimester termination of pregnancy. In 18 of these patients, repeat doses of gel were given only in the absence of uterine contractions and in 12 patients the gel was administered every 4 hours, irrespective of uterine activity. The mean time to abortion in all patients was 13.9 hours; no benefit seemed to accrue from using routine 4-hourly doses and it is recommended that repeat doses are given only when contractions are absent. The latter technique compares favourably with the use of other natural prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogues.