ABSTRACT
To compare the efficacy of intravaginal application of misoprostol and intra-amniotic injection of prostaglandin 15-methyl F2 alpha (PG F2α) in terminating second trimester pregnancies, eighty pregnant women at 14-20 weeks of gestation with single live fetuses and requesting for termination of pregnancy were randomised into two groups.Women in group I: received four tablets of vaginal misoprostol (200 mg/tablet) and in group II : intra-amniotic injection of (10 ml) 2.5 mg 15 methyl - PGF2α. Failure to abort within 48 hours after intiation of treatment occurred in one woman (2.5%) in the misoprostol group and 10 women (25%) in the 15 methyl PGF2α group (P = 0.009). Mean induction-to-abortion interval was 16.3±13 hr in the misoprostol group and 21.2±16 hr in the 15 methyl PGF2a group (P=.001). Lower abdominal pain was significantly higher in the misoprostol group than in the 15 methyl PGF2α group (P = 0.001). Intravaginal misoprostol in a dose of 800mg is more effective than intra-amniotic 15-methyl PGF2α for second trimester pregnancy termination.