Foley catheter and misoprostol for cervical preparation for second-trimester surgical abortion.

Abstract Objective Document the effectiveness and safety of Foley balloon catheter and misoprostol use for cervical preparation before a same-day dilation and evacuation (DE interquartile range [IQR] 6.2–8.4 hours); median procedure length was 12 minutes (2–40 minutes; IQR 10–15 minutes); and median recovery time 14 minutes (4–89 minutes; IQR 14–16 minutes). Most patients needed two doses of misoprostol (n = 258, 89%), and 11 (4%) needed three doses; 21 (7%) patients needed one dose of misoprostol. Conclusion Patients in the mid-second trimester can effectively and safely undergo cervical preparation with a Foley balloon catheter and misoprostol to facilitate completion of same-day D&E. Implications Foley balloon catheter use with misoprostol for cervical preparation for second-trimester abortion (the Robinson Foley protocol) is effective and safe and can be completed in one day when used by an experienced physician.