The use of 16,16-dimethyl-transδ2 prostaglandin E1 methyl ester (gemeprost) vaginal pessaries for the termination of pregnancy in the early second trimester. A comparison with extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2

Summary. The use of gemeprost pessaries has been compared in an open randomized trial with the extra-amniotic infusion of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) for the termination of pregnancy between 12 and 16 weeks gestation. The success rates were 77% and 79% for the pessary and infusion group respectively, and these rates were unaffected by parity. There was no significant difference in the cumulative abortion rate between the two groups, nor were there differences in the induction-abortion interval, nor in the time taken to the onset of pain or bleeding. However, women in the pessary group required significantly less analgesia than those in the infusion group. Side-effects, experienced both during treatment and during the 6 weeks after abortion, were similar in both groups. Gemeprost vaginal pessaries are an effective alternative to the extra-amniotic infusion of PGE, for the termination of pregnancy in the early second trimester.