Three methods for gradual cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration in late first trimester pregnancy

Abstract Sixty healthy women at 8 to 12 weeks of gestation were divided into three groups of 20 women each to evaluate three methods for gradual cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration — Group I: Laminaria tent; Group II: Isaptent, and Group III: 250 ug 15-methyl-PGF 2 alpha intramuscular injection. The three methods showed comparable cervical dilatation (10.46 mm) over a mean period of 3 hours 40 minutes. Administration of 15-methyl-PGF 2 alpha, though relatively simple, had significant gastrointestinal side effects and bleeding per vaginum (P