[The induction of abortion in the second trimester by combined administration of minprostin and sulproston, compared with the use of sulproston alone (author's transl)].

Sulproston was used to terminate 125 pregnancies from 13 to 41 weeks duration, between 1.1.1979 and 31.12.1980. The indications for termination of pregnancy included medical problems, genetic disorders and neural tube defects. Sulproston alone was used in 30 cases. In the remaining 95 cases the cervix uteri was treated with Minprostin F2a before Sulproston application. The failure rate was 20% when Sulproston alone was used at varying dosage. There were no failures using the combination therapy. Combined therapy reduced the time necessary for abortion by an average of four hours, the period of painful contractions was reduced, and less Sulproston was needed. The incidence of side effects was comparable in the two groups. There were no complications from the intracervical application of Minprostin F2a.