A new prostaglandin E2-gel for pretreatment of the cervix in nulliparous patients having a late first trimester termination of pregnancy.

A new PGE2-gel, based on a cross-linked starch powder, has been developed. This gel seems to have solved several of the pharmaceutical and practical problems connected with local administration of prostaglandins. In a three-center study 120 nulliparous patients were given 0.5 mg PGE2 in 2.2 ml gel intracervically prior to dilatation of the cervix and evacuation of the uterus in late first trimester. Considerable cervical dilatation was obtained within 15 h. The frequency of side effects, including pain and gastro-intestinal discomfort was low. The technique can be recommended for outpatients.