Termination of pregnancy with fetal death in the second and third trimesters — the double balloon versus extra-amniotic prostaglandin

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of a double balloon catheter in the termination of pregnancy with fetal death in the second and third trimesters, in comparison with the administration of extra-amniotic PGF 2-α. METHODS: Twenty cases with IUFD at > 20 weeks of gestation were divided into two groups. Group I was subjected to the double balloon alone, while in Group II extraamniotic instillation of PGF 2-α via a Foley's catheter was used. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to induction-expulsion time, inductiondelivery time and failure rate. CONCLUSIONS: The double balloon catheter proved to be an effective non-pharmacological method. The technique was simple and well tolerated by the patients. The side-effects of the prostaglandin and the cost of the medication were avoided.