A trial of intra-amniotic and extra-amniotic prostaglandin for medical termination of pregnancy
Mukherjee, M.; Shukla, P.; Rohatgi, P.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India 29(1): 32-37
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0971-9202 PMID: 12326933 Document Number: 575246
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PGF2a (prostaglandin) and 15(S) 15-methyl-PGF2a as abortifacient agents, the Indian Council of Medical Research studied 124 cases of medical termination of pregnancy between 10-20 weeks. 30 cases were given intraamniotic and 94 cases were given extraamniotic prostaglandin injections. All patients were constantly and carefully monitored in the postoperative ward. The age group 15-20 years had the highest % cases of intraamniotic injection while the age group 21-25 years had the highest % cases of extraamniotic injections. Highest % cases given intraamniotic injections were those with gestation period of 18-20 weeks; highest % of cases given extraamniotic route were those with gestation between 12-14 weeks. Success rate for the intraamniotic injection was 93.33% (28 aborted within 28 hours). Of the 94 given extraamniotic injection, 64 had induction-abortion interval less than 36 hours. Side effects and complications experienced included vomiting in 60% cases; diarrhea in 56.7% cases given intraamniotic injection (6% in those given extraamniotic injection); rise of temperature up to 100 degrees F after expulsion of fetus in 3.33%; cervical tear requiring suturing in 2 cases; flushing of faces after injection in 3 cases; dyspnoea following injection in 1 case; anaphylatic shock in 1, and; death in 1 (mortality rate, 0.8%) due to uncontrollable hemorrhage. It was concluded that prostaglandins are not without hazards when used for medical termination of pregnancy.