title: The feasibility of early second trimester pregnancy (12 to 14 weeks) termination with single intra-amniotic injection of 15-methyl PGF2 alpha.
abstract: Prostaglandin analogues have proven to be safe and effective for second trimester pregnancy terminations when given by various routes. Of these, the intra-amniotic (IA) route has proven to be safer, especially in women with medical disorders, as it causes the least occurrence of systemic side-effects. Previously, blind transabdominal IA instillation of the analogue 15-methyl PGF2 alpha was routinely possible only after 16 weeks' gestation. With the advent of ultrasound-guided techniques, it has now become possible to use the IA route for very early second trimester pregnancies. This study examines the use of single 1.5 mg 15-methyl PGF2 alpha IA injection for termination of 12-14 weeks pregnancies. Single injection resulted in successful abortion in 76.5% of women and, in the unsuccessful cases, additional prostaglandin injection resulted in successful abortion in all women within 48 hours without problems. It is therefore feasible to use ultrasound-guided IA prostaglandin injection for successful termination of early second trimester pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Adaikan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anandakumar
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ratnam
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: C041156:prostaglandin F2 methyl ester; D015237:Dinoprost