Objective demonstration of cervical softening with a prostaglandin F2αgel during first trimester abortion

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Abstract
In a prospective study the cervix-softening and dilating effects of intracervically applied prostaglandin F2.alpha. gel were investigated in 100 patients during induced abortion in the 7-12th wk of pregnancy. A specially designed tonometer was used to measure the resistance of the cervical canal before as well as 6-8 h, 4 days and 5-6 wk after gel application. The cervix of 99 patients was freely passable without use of undue force for at least Hegar 8 after treatment. Measurements in 96 patients 5-6 wk after the operation showed good general agreement with those values obtained before gel application. No spontaneous or operation-induced lesions of the cervix occurred. Intracervical prostaglandin gel application is a safe, practicable and gentle method for avoiding dilation-induced complications during 1st trimester abortions.