For termination of a second-trimester pregnancy at 17 weeks in an Indian hospital setting, which agent is classically used by extra-amniotic instillation through a transcervically placed catheter?

• A Ethacridine lactate ✓
• B High-dose oxytocin infusion alone
• C Prostaglandin F2 alpha injected into the amniotic cavity
• D Dinoprostone vaginal gel

Explanation

Ethacridine lactate instilled extra-amniotically through a Foley catheter has been a traditional second-trimester abortifacient method widely taught in India, acting over 24 to 48 hours by stimulating uterine contractions and fetal membrane inflammation. Oxytocin infusion alone is unreliable in the second trimester because uterine receptors are sparse at this stage, and intra-amniotic prostaglandin injection is not the conventional instillation technique described.

Reference: Dutta's Textbook of Obstetrics, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.