Use of prostaglandin for induction of second trimester abortions in high risk pregnancy

Abstract Experience with the use of prostaglandin F 2 α (PGF 2 α) and its methyl analogue for the termination of pregnancy associated with medical complications, prior laparotomy and uterine scars or tumours and abnormal pregnancies in 50 patients is presented. Complete or incomplete abortion occurred in 40 patients within 48 hours and in all of them within 78 hours. Vomiting and diarrhoea were the minor side effects encountered in a few patients. Two patients had blood losses of more than 500 ml. These results compare favourably with those results reported earlier on termination of pregnancy with prostaglandin in normal women as regards success rate, induction-abortion interval and side effects. This analysis indicates that PGF 2 α and 15-me-PGF 2 α are reasonably safe and effective for termination of pregnancy in high risk patients.