DOUBLE-BALLOON INSTILLATION DEVICE FOR 2ND-TRIMESTER ABORTION - OUTCOME IN 340 CONSECUTIVE CASES

For the past five years we have used a double-balloon device for extra ovular instillation of prostaglandin solution for termination of midtr imester pregnancy. In 340 consecutive cases a success rate of 91% (abo rtions within 24 hours) was achieved, with a mean instillation-to-abor tion interval of 17.5 +/- 6.5 (SD) hours in nulliparas versus 12.8 +/- 6.1 in multiparas (P < .005). The instillation of continuous, low-dos e prostaglandin solution into the extraovular space resulted in very f ew side effects and no complications. Furthermore, the technique was u sed successfully in women who had undergone one or more cesarean secti ons in the past. The use of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) resulted in sh orter instillation-to-abortion intervals than did prostaglandin F-2 al pha (P < .01); 500 mu g/h of PGE(2) solution was needed in nulliparas, whereas 250 sufficed in multiparas.