Therapeutic abortion during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy using a synthetic derivative of prostaglandin E2, sulprostone, administrated intravenously. Based upon 182 cases.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to assess the efficacy of and adverse events linked to the use of intravenous sulprostone during the 2nd or 3rd trimesters of pregnancy for therapeutic abortion. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred eighty-two patients (70 nulliparous, 112 multiparous) were hospitalized for therapeutic abortion. The route of administration was invariably intravenous and one single dose of sulprostone was used: 1000 micrograms of sulprostone diluted in 1 l of isotonic saline solution given as a 10-h infusion. RESULT: Expulsion within the first 24 h was obtained in 70% of cases with a mean induction-expulsion interval of 14 h. In three cases, laparotomy was required for hemorrhagic syndromes. CONCLUSION: Intravenous sulprostone enable evacuation of uterine contents with minimal adverse reaction. Attention should nevertheless be drawn to the existence of hemorrhagic syndromes.