Success rate for culture of fetal postmortem tissue is dependent on the method of pregnancy termination.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of different methods of pregnancy termination on the culture success rate of postmortem fetal tissue.


METHODS
In a randomized trial, umbilical cord specimens were collected in a standardized manner and culture success rates were compared according to the method of pregnancy termination.


RESULTS
There was a significantly higher culture success rate in the vaginal (90.0%) and oral misoprostol (83.0%) groups compared to the intra-amniotic injection of prostaglandin group (52.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study and the very high success rate reported by others from specimens following dilatation and evacuation lead us to suggest that exposure to drugs used to induce abortion may be a more important factor in culture failure than either tissue type or time in transit.
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. ewinsor@mtsinai.on.ca
Elizabeth J T
EJ
Winsor
Rory
R
Windrim
David
D
Chitayat
Greg
G
Ryan
Gareth
G
Seaward
Hani
H
Akoury
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol; D015237:Dinoprost