Termination of 99 Dead Fetuses by Condom-Balloon Technique

Abstract

A total of 99 cases of dead fetus in utero in the second trimester of preg nancies, justified with indication for termination were prospectively recruited into a non-randomized clinical trial by using the condom-ballon technique with subsequent augmentation by oxytocin infusion. The patients were from 17-46 years of age with a mean of 27.19 years and duration of gestational age ranged from 13-32 weeks with a mean of 22.92 weeks. The success rate for expulsion within 24 and 48 hours was 78.8% and 94.95% respectively. The average of induction-expulsion (IE) time was 16 hours 36 minutes and not significantly different between primiparity and multiparity. The morbidity in this study was minimal. 

The results of this study indicate that the condom-balloon technique offers an appropriate modality management for dead fetus in utero because of high effi cacy, minimal complications and inexpensive techinque. Further investigations to compare it with other technique should be undertaken. (Thai J Obstet Gynaecol 1992;4: 7-13.)