Evaluation of prostaglandin F2 alpha and hypertonic saline as abortifacients.

The intraamnio~ic instillation of various abortifacients is becoming increasingly popular as a ~:limple, ambulatory, nonsurg"cal me hod of termination of midtrimester pregnancies. · It is in this context that hypertonic solutions, specially 20% saline, and the more recently d'scovered prostagland:ns of the E and F series have featured prominently in large abortion serie:.. Though extensively used safely now, hypertonic saline had gone into disrepute follow.ng the high maternal mortality rate Waga~suma (1965) and reports of fatal complications Cameron and Dayan (1966). Prostaglandin-induced abortions have not been marred by any reports of fatalities, but are characterised by irksome gastrointestinal side effects Anderson et al (1972). This study was designed to compare these two midtrimester abortifacients as regards the efficacy, in terms of succeks-rate and induction-abortion interval, and their acceptability in terms of course of abortion, side-effects and complications.