Mid-trimester abortion by extraamniotic Emcredil versus normal saline.

Data is presented for 40 mid-trimester abortions, induced by 0.1% Emcredil (Group 1--20 cases) and normal saline (Group 2--20 cases) by instillation in the extraamniotic space. It was observed that the 2 groups were comparable for age, parity and period of gestation. The mean induction-abortion interval was 18 hours 9 minutes in Group 1 and 19 hours 19 minutes in Group 2. Abortion was complete in 45% and 65% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. With a cutoff time of 30 hours, there were 3 failures, 1 in Group 1 and 2 in Group 2. The induction-abortion interval was significantly less in the more advanced pregnancies in the saline group. There was no complication in either of the 2 groups. It is hypothesized that normal saline also acts by damage of the decidual cells with liberation of prostaglandins locally. Also since normal saline is a cheap and easily available commodity with no contraindication for its use and no side-effects, it seems to hold a lot of promise for induction of mid-trimester abortion.