title: Second-trimester abortion by intramuscular 15-methyl-prostaglandin F2 alpha or intravaginal prostaglandin E2 suppositories: a randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare intramuscular (IM) prostaglandin 15 methyl-F2 alpha (15M-PGF2 alpha) with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) vaginal suppositories for second-trimester abortion in terms of efficacy and side effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one women were randomized to receive either 15M-PGF2 alpha IM injections or PGE2 intravaginal suppositories for second-trimester abortion. Efficacy and side effects of the two agents were analyzed by two-tailed t tests, chi 2 analysis with Fisher exact test, and survival analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean times to rupture of membranes, delivery of fetus, and delivery of placenta were significantly less for women receiving PGE2 vaginal suppositories. The cumulative abortion rate after 24 hours for the PGE2 group was 96%, compared with 69% for the 15M-PGF2 alpha group. Although there were few differences in side effects, the 15M-PGF2 alpha group had significantly fewer headaches, fevers, and chills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravaginal PGE2 is superior to IM 15M-PGF2 alpha for second-trimester abortion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Borgida
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Rodis
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hanlon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Craffey
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciarleglio
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D002260:Carboprost / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013488:Suppositories; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011458:Prostaglandins E; D013488:Suppositories; D002260:Carboprost