The use of 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2 prostaglandin E1 methyl ester vaginal suppositories for management of missed abortion and fetal death.

The effect of vaginal administration of a PgE1 analogue to terminate missed abortion and fetal death in utero was evaluated in 62 women with gestation ranging from the 13th to the 37th week. Abortion occurred in 85.4% of women with missed abortion and in 86% of women with fetal death. In both groups, the mean induction time was less than 12 h. The incidence of side effects, primarily gastrointestinal symptoms, was infrequent.