Laminaria augmentation of midtrimester pregnancy termination by intramuscular prostaglandin 15 (S) 15-methyl F2 alpha.

A group of 15 midtrimester gravid patients underwent intracervical laminaria tent insertion prior to repeated intramuscular injections of 250mu g of prostaglandin 15 (S) 15-methyl F2 alpha at two-hour intervals for elective termination of pregnancy. This group was compared with a previously reported group of 80 patients who had received identical treatment without laminaria insertion. A significant reduction in mean abortion time and an increased 24-hour abortion rate were observed with the addition of laminaria. There was a proportionate decrease in gastrointestinal side effects as well as a reduced need for analgesia in the laminaria group with no complications attributable to the laminaria insertion.