[Comparison of dinoprostone gel and gemeprost suppositories for induction of abortion in the second and third...

The results of the cervical priming with a Dinoprost-containing gel and a Gemeprost-containing vaginal suppository were compared in 68 patients, who required termination of pregnancy beyond 14 weeks because of a severe maternal disease or a fetal abnormality. The priming consisted of either an intracervical application of Dinoprost (500 micrograms) in a tylose-gel in 6-8 hour intervals or a retrocervical application of Gemeprost (1 mg) as a vaginal suppository in 12 hour intervals. Although no significant parameter variances were found in the selected patient groups, abortion was induced in 75% of cases within 24 hours, in 89% within 36 hours using Gemeprost. Mean induction time for Gemeprost was 19.5 hours. Using Dinoprost only 19% of patients had an abortion within 24 hours (44% within 36 hours, respectively), mean induction time was significantly longer (38.8 hours, p < 0.005). These differences remained unchanged, when patients who had a prior caesarean section were not evaluated. Using Gemeprost the additional systemic administration of Sulprost was necessary in 21% of cases, using Dinoprost, in 50% of cases. Severe complications did not occur and minor side effects such as nausea or vomiting were observed in single cases. These results demonstrate that Gemeprost can be used in cervical priming even after 14 weeks of pregnancy and that the longer application interval of 12 hours results in a reduction of side effects without a decrease in efficacy.