Mid-trimester abortion using hypertonic saline or prostaglandin E2 gel: an analysis of efficacy and complications

A total of 149 mid-trimester termination of pregnancies using hypertonic saline infusion (125) or prostaglandin E2 gel (24) have been analyzed for efficacy and complications. The mean induction to abortion time (I-A) was 31.7 +/- 9.2 hours in hypertonic saline (HSI) group and 28.4 +/- 27.7 hours in prostaglandin (PGE2) group. Retained placenta occurred in 76 (63.3%) in HSI group and 6 (25%) in PGE2 group. Four (3.3%) in HSI group had pyrexia over 38.5 degrees C and the only one case with proven sepsis developed disseminated intravascular coagulation defect (DIC) which accounted for one case (0.8%) of blood loss of more than 500 ml. There was also one case of mildly disturbed electrolytes in HSI group occurring during the instillation. Minor side-effects of nausea and vomiting occurred in 4 (16.7%) in the PGE2 group only.