SIMULTANEOUS INTRAVENOUS INFUSION OF PROSTAGLANDIN E₂ (PGE₂) AND OXYTOCIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INTRAUTERINE DEATH OF THE FETUS, MISSED ABORTION AND HYDATIDIFORM MOLE

Abstract

Prostaglandin E, (PGE,) and oxytocin were given simultaneously by intravenous infusion to 28 patients with a missed abortion, 5 patients with a hydatidiform mole and 17 patients at or after 28 weeks gestation with intrauterine death (IUD) of the fetus. There were no failures of induction although a repeat infusion was necessary in 2 patients, and 20 of the 33 induced abortions were incomplete. The average induction to delivery interval for all cases was less than 10 hours. Pyrexia developed in one-third of the patients. There were no other undesirable side effects.