title: Prostaglandins for induction of second-trimester termination and intrauterine death.
abstract: The introduction of synthetic prostaglandin has revolutionized the treatment protocol for induction of second-trimester abortion and intrauterine death. Gemeprost is the only licensed synthetic prostaglandin analogue for second-trimester abortion in the United Kingdom. However, it is expensive and needs to be stored in a refrigerator. Misoprostol is marketed for use in the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer. It is inexpensive and can be stored at room temperature. It has been widely used for induction of second-trimester abortion and intrauterine death. Misoprostol, 400 microg given vaginally every 3hours, is probably the optimal regimen for second-trimester abortion. The combination of misoprostol and mifepristone significantly reduced the induction-to-abortion interval when compared with the misoprostol-only regimen. In addition, misoprostol can also be used as a cervical priming agent prior to dilatation and evacuation in second-trimester abortion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong 6/F., Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China. cora@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: Suk Wai
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ngai
authors.forename: Oi Shan
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Pak Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020070:Cervical Ripening; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol; C021182:gemeprost; D000527:Alprostadil