Preoperative dilatation of the cervix by single vaginal administration of 15-methyl-PGF2α-methyl ester

Two different vaginal suppositories have been developed suitable for one single treatment for preoperative dilatation of the cervix prior to vacuum aspiration in late first trimester abortion. The study included 60 patients equally distributed in one control group (Group I) where vacuum aspiration was performed without pretreatment; one group (Group II) where the patients obtained 2.0 mg 15-methyl-PGF_2α-methyl ester in a rapid releasing base six hours prior to operation and one group (Group III) where the prostaglandin dose was increased to 2.5 mg 15-methyl-PGF_2α-methyl ester and a more slow releasing base was used and the operation performed after 12 hours. The mean cervical dilatation at operation was in Group II 9 mm and in Group III 11 mm in comparison with 4.8 mm in the control group. The bleeding at the operation was also significantly reduced.