Prostaglandin F2alpha and oxytocin compared with hypertonic saline and oxytocin for the induction of second trimester abortion.

Second trimester abortion was induced in a randomized investigation using a single dose of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) in combination with oxytocin in one group of patients, and hypertonic saline (20%) in combination with oxytocin in another group of patients. Oxytocin was administered in order to induce a rapid abortion, and was given intravenously in a glucose drip (100 I.U. oxytocin added to 1 litre of 5% glucose). Administration rate was 10 I.U./hour. The PG-group consisted of 16 patients. The mean induction-abortion interval for this group was 14.2 hours, and all patients aborted within 24 hours. In three cases the bleeding exceeded 200 ml. In one of these cases infection occurred. Only mild side effects occurred. The saline group also consisted of 16 patients. The mean induction-abortion interval in this group was 21.5 hours. Eleven patients aborted within 24 hours. In two cases the bleeding exceeded 200 ml. No side effects occurred. Intraamniotic instillation of PGF2alpha seems to be a good alternative to hypertonic saline for termination of second trimester pregnancies.