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

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-PGF2 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-PGF2 alpha, though relatively simple, had significant gastrointestinal side effects and bleeding per vaginum (P less than 0.001) prior to vacuum aspiration and greater blood loss (P less than 0.01) during vacuum aspiration as compared with the other two groups. No sequelae, immediate or delayed, were encountered. Isaptent indigenously made and relatively inexpensive is a reliable, safe and effective method for gradual dilatation of cervix for 8 to 12 weeks of gestation prior to vacuum aspiration and is the cervical dilator of choice.