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Induction of abortion by extra-amniotic prostaglandin administration

1972; Elsevier BV; Volume: 1; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0090-6980(72)90064-0

1878-416X

N. Wiqvist, François Béguin, M. Bygdeman, I. Fernström, M. Toppozada,

Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions

Abortion was induced by intermittent extra-amniotic administration of prostaglandin F2α in 70 women. It was found that the best results were obtained by separate doses of 250–750 ug PGF2α given in volumes of 1–6 ml every 1–4 hours via a self retaining Foley catheter. A radiological study revealed that a small volume of PGF2α solution injected into the lower uterine segment induces local contractions which force the pool of solution upwards to spread between the uterine wall and the foetal membranes. This mechanism is believed to facilitate the development of forceful reasonably coordinated contractions that result in expulsion of the conceptus. In the second trimester, abortion occurred within a mean period of 24 hours in 88% of the cases. The incidence of generalized side-effects in terms of vomiting and diarrhoea was very low compared to that during continuous intravenous infusion of the compound. In 10 late first or early second trimester pregnancies PGF2α or PGE2 was injected extra-amniotically during a limited period to dilate the cervix as a pre-operative measure. The stimulating action of prostaglandins on uterine contractility induced a cervical dilatation that made subsequent instrumental evacuation a simple procedure. This form of pre-operative treatment may be utilized to avoid complications in “border-line cases” where the size of the uterus renders primary evacuation hazardous.