Second trimester abortion by rivanol with or without cervical dilatators. A randomized comparison.

Fifty women undergoing second trimester legal abortion were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1. given Rivanol and left with balloon catheter in the cervical canal with addition of oxytocin infusion. 2. same treatment as above but catheter removed and replaced by a Lamicel cervical dilatator, 5 mm in diameter; 3. as group 2, but with a 6 mm Laminaria tent inserted. Induction-abortion interval and need for analgesics were recorded, as well as possible side effects and complications. No statistical differences were found between the three groups for any of the parameters. We have thus not been able to show any advantages of using Laminaria or Lamicel osmotic cervix dilatators in second trimester abortions.