Intramuscular and extra-amniotic 15-(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F2 alpha in intra-uterine death

The efficacy of 15-(S)-15-methyl-PGF2 alpha in inducing labour in 30 patients with intra-uterine fetal death was tested. The patients were divided into two groups of 15 patients and the drug was administered either by repeated intramuscular injection or by continuous intra-uterine extra-amniotic infusion. The extra-amniotic method of administration was the safest and most successful method (100% v. 93,3%); the duration of labour was shorter (mean 12 hours 39 minutes v. 17 hours 39 minutes); less prostaglandin was required (mean 867 micrograms v. 2300 micrograms); and it was associated with the lowest incidence of side-effects compared with the intramuscular route of administration (no vomiting; 6,6% incidence of diarrhoea v. 60% vomiting and 73,3% diarrhoea). The intramuscular method was further complicated by 1 case of uterine rupture.