A retrospective study of 72 second trimester pregnancy terminations using gemeprost vaginal pessary is reported. The success rate with this method of induced abortion was 93%. The mean induction to abortion interval was 12.6 hours. Minor side-effects such as fever, vomiting and diarrhoea occurred in 46%, 10%, and 18% of patients, respectively. Major complications were uncommon. One patient had blood loss of more than 500 ml and one patient had genital tract trauma. It is our experience that gemeprost is a safe and efficient method for effecting a second trimester termination.

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