Urea-prostaglandin versus hypertonic saline for instillation abortion.
Authorities have suggested use of a combination of hyperosmolar urea and low-dose prostaglandin F2 alpha as a second-trimester intra-amniotic abortifacient to avoid the disadvantages of hypertonic saline solution. To examine the safety and efficacy of urea-prostaglandin compared with the instillation of saline solution, we analyzed data from a prospective multicenter study conducted in the United States between 1975 and 1978. Both agents were highly effective in producing an abortion. However, urea-prostaglandin had a significantly lower rate of serious complications when compared with saline solution (1.03 versus 2.18 per 100 abortions; p less than 0.001). Urea-prostaglandin also had a significantly shorter induction-to-abortion time (14.2 versus 25.6 hours; p less than 0.001). Urea-prostaglandin, therefore, appears to be superior to hypertonic saline solution as an abortifacient.
D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000029:Abortion, Legal; D000328:Adult; D015237:Dinoprost; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014508:Urea / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced
D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014508:Urea; D015237:Dinoprost