Prostaglandins for termination of pregnancy in the 2d and 3d trimester

38 abnormal pregnancies in the second and third trimenon have been terminated by a combined therapy of natural prostaglandine, locally applied for ripening the cervix, followed by systemic application of synthetic prostaglandine of the third generation Sulproston. 8 pregnancies have been terminated only after ripening the portio with prostaglandine vaginal tablets. The other 30 women were injected with 500 micrograms Sulproston intramuscular after local priming. All the pregnancies were terminated by this procedure. In 25 cases the effective dose was 500 micrograms, three times 1000 micrograms, once 1500 and 2000 micrograms. 13 women suffered from side effects like vomiting and pain, which could be treated easily. In 27 cases the abortion took place within 20 hours after the first application of Sulproston. Our procedure obviously has a very good labour inducing effect and seems to be the ideal method for inducing artificial abortion.