Comparative study of cervical laminar tents prior to extra-amniotic injection of ethacridine lactate (Rivanol) and a condom-nelathon catheter method for second-trimester pregnancy interruption in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the regimen for termination of second-trimester pregnancies using laminaria tents 12-24 h prior to extra-amniotic ethacridine lactate (Rivanol) instillation, is more effective in shortening the insertion-expulsion interval than the presently used method of abortion induction by a condom/Nelathon catheter.

DESIGN

A prospective randomised comparative study was performed at Uong Bi General Hospital in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, on 91 women undergoing pregnancy termination in the second trimester.

INTERVENTIONS

The subjects were randomly allocated to 2 treatment groups, receiving either the Nelathon catheter-condom method (n = 50) or by insertion of a laminaria tent into the cervical canal for preinduction, 13-29 h before extra-amniotic instillation of ethacridine lactate (n = 34). Seven subjects were not pretreated with the laminaria tent.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The insertion-expulsion intervals and the incidence of side effects were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean insertion-expulsion interval in the 2 groups was not significantly different (mean 27.5 +/- 16.1 and 26.4 +/- 16.4 h, respectively), calculating the insertion-expulsion interval from the start of active treatment, i.e. from the instillation of Rivanol or insertion of the Nelathon catheter and condom, until expulsion of the fetus.

CONCLUSIONS

The laminaria-Rivanol method for pregnancy interruption is not more advantageous than the existing Nelathon catheter-condom method. Simple, successful and cost-effective methods in achieving second-trimester abortion in the Vietnamese context have therefore to be identified and tested.