Instillation abortion is performed by injecting a chemical solution consisting of either saline, urea, or prostaglandin through the abdomen and into the amniotic sac.
The cervix is dilated prior to the injection, and the chemical solution induces uterine contractions which expel the fetus.
[2] In 1968, abortion by the instillation of saline solution accounted for 28% of those procedures performed legally in San Francisco, California.
[10] Once in common practice, abortion by intrauterine instillation has fallen out of favor, due to its association with serious adverse effects and its replacement by procedures which require less time and cause less physical discomfort.
[13] One study found that the risk of complications associated with the injection of a combination of urea and prostaglandin into the amniotic fluid was 1.9 times that of D&E.