Intrauterine injection of prostaglandin F2α for termination of early pregnancy in out-patient

Prostaglandin F_2α administered as single intrauterine injection was used for termination of very early pregnancy in 34 out-patients. Twelve patients were induced with 1.0 mg, 18 patients with 2.0 mg and 4 patients with 4.0 mg of PGF_2α. After 2 weeks, abortion was complete in 58% induced with 1.0 mg, in 78% induced with 2.0 mg, and in all 4 patients induced with 4.0 mg. After 3 weeks, abortion was complete in 83% induced with 1.0 mg and in 100% induced with 2.0 mg. There was one failure, which occurred in the group treated by using 1.0 mg PGF_2α. Immediate side-effects were kept at an acceptable level with a very mild premedication. No serious complications occurred but curettage was performed on 2 patients because of bleeding. Spontaneous menstruation started in the 1.0 mg group within an average of 33 days (range 23–60), in the 2.0 mg group within an average of 36 days (range 25–61). The use of 2.0 mg PGF_2α for the routine termination of very early pregnancy is recommended.