Midtrimester abortion by dilatation and evacuation versus intra-amniotic instillation of prostaglandin F2 alpha: a randomized clinical trial.
To compare the safety and feasibility of midtrimester abortion by outpatient dilatation and evacuation (D-E) versus inpatient intra-amniotic instillation of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), we performed a randomized clinical trial with 100 subjects estimated to be 13 to 18 menstrual weeks pregnant. Subjects undergoing D-E abortion had significantly better compliance with the assigned treatment (100% vs. 88%, < 0.05) and less delay prior to abortion (mean 3.7 vs. 10.1 days, p < 0.001). Subjects receiving PGF2 alpha had a relative risk of sustaining a complication 5.7 times that of subjects undergoing D-E (95% confidence interval 2.1-15.3, p < 0.001). Subjects receiving PGF 2 alpha also had significantly higher rates of vomiting and diarrhea (p < 0.01). Midtrimester abortion by outpatient D-E appears to be more acceptable to women, faster, and safer than by instillation of PGF2 alpha.
Dilation and evacuation is superior to instillation of prostaglandin F2
α. The current evidence also appears to favour D&E over mifepristone and misoprostol, however larger randomised trials are needed.