A comparison between vaginal prostaglandin E2 suppositories and intrauterine extra-amniotic prostaglandins in the management of fetal death in utero.

This retrospective study was undertaken to compare the efficacy, side effects, and complications of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) given as a vaginal suppository with those of PGE2 administered via the intrauterine extra-amniotic route to induce labor after fetal death. The induction-to-delivery intervals were comparable, with 9.2 +/- 3.94 hours and 8.6 +/-4.49 hours, respectively. However, the mean total amount of PGE2 administered was much less via the intrauterine extra-amniotic route (1.8 milligrams) than by the vaginal suppository (45.2 mg). There was a 100% success rate in the patients treated by the intrauterine extra-amniotic route, but only a 91.3% success rate in those patients treated via the vaginal route. The side effects (vomiting, diarrhea, fever) and the complications (incomplete abortion, uterine rupture, oxytocin augmentation) occurred more frequently with the use of PGE2 as a vaginal suppository. The vaginal route of administration of PGE2 is somewhat more convenient, but the intrauterine extra-amniotic route may offer a higher degree of efficacy and safety with fewer side effects in the management of fetal death in utero.