Midtrimester artificial abortion using 16, 16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2-PGE1 methyl ester (Preglandin), laminaria tents and continuous epidural anesthesia.

Abstract

Summary For this stud-, Preglandin (16, 16 dimeth-l trans-Δ2-PGE1 meth-l ester) was used for midtrimester artificial abortion. The methodolog-, however, differed from that described in other reports. Our present method includes first inserting laminaria tents to dilate the cervix and administering albumin tannate to prevent side effects. We then insert PGEj vaginal suppositories to induce artificial abortion and use epidural anesthesia to relieve pain. A total of 19 patients were used for this stud-. In 15 patients, the abortion was performable before 5 or less PGE1 vaginal suppositories had been used. The remaining 4 patients did not reach this stage until after intravenous drip PGF2α had been administered the following da-. PGE1 is simple to use and appears to be effective in midtrimester artificial abortion if attention is given to the possibilit- of bag rupture, which ma- occur during the earl- stage of the treatment.