Termination of molar pregnancy by intramuscular administration of 15(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F2 alpha.

Eleven patients entered a multicentre trial of repeated intramuscular injections of 15(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F2 alpha (15-me-PGF2 alpha) for terminating molar pregnancy. Duration of pregnancy ranged from 9 to 24 (median: 16) weeks and uterine size from 15 to 24 (median: 19) weeks. Complete (n=5) or incomplete (n=4) expulsion of molar tissue occurred in 9 patients (82%) after a median duration of 15.7 hours. In the remaining 2 patients treatment was interrupted after 8 hours at a cervical dilatation of 1 cm or more. Gastro-intestinal side effects were prominent in 64%. The use of prostaglandins in the management of hydatidiform mole is discussed.