Therapeutic Termination of Second Trimester pregnancy: A comparison of Extra-Amniotic Folleys Catheter Balloon Alone with the combined use of foley's catheter Balloon and Extra amniotic instillation of prostaglandin F2-Alpha.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy safety adverse effects and cost effectiveness of extra-amniotic foley's catheter balloon alone (group-I) with the combined use of Foley's catheter balloon and extra amniotic prostaglandin F2 Alpha (group - II) for termination of second trimester pregnancy. It was a comaprative randomised trial carried out in obstetric and gynae unit LRH, Peshawar during year 2002. Patient were randomly allocated to group - I, having odd admission numbers and group - II having even admission numbers. Sixty three patients having gestational age between 14 to 28 weeks and cervical score less than 4 were enrolled in the study, 33 for group - I and 30 for group - II. Indications for termiantion were either intrauterine foetal death or congenital malformations incompatible with life. Both the groups had a size 16-F foley's cather passed through the internal OS and its balloon distended with 30 milimliters of distilled water. group-II patient in addition received extra amniotic prostaglandin F2-Alpha (0.25mg/ml diluted solution), one ml at hourly interval through the same catheter, till the expulsion of the balloon. the combined use of Foley's catheter balloon and extra amniotic PGF2 alpha is more rapid, safe and cost effective method for induction of therapeutic termination of second trimester pregnancy, resulting in greater number of successful uterine evacuation within 24 hours, than the Foley's catheter balloon alone.